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Re: (meteorobs) Meteorites and Terminal velocity




    Dave>> Your point about recrystalization from reheating has merit but I 
believe that to form smaller crystals the iron meteorite would have to 
completely melt (2795 o F  or 1535 o C ) then all of the meteorite would 
have the same very small crystals that make up the fusion crust.<<

I can think of at least one instance where melting doesn't have to occur to 
have crystal structure changes in heated iron. The process of making cold 
chisels. It's been a long time since I've made one, but do recall that you 
heat up the shaped piece of iron to a red hot temperature and then dip it 
into cold water. This process results with a changed crystal structure and 
very hard metal. No melting was involved.
GeoZay

   
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