Abstract
Small ballistic ranges were used to perform controlled laboratory shock experiments on 12 selected silicates [quartz (30–310 kb), oligoclase (30–340 kb), andesine (40–100 kb), olivine (80–500 kb), forsterite (50–150 kb), enstatite (60–150 kb), biotite (10–90 kb), hornblende (50–150 kb, garnet (40–160 kb), kunzite (60–150 kb), beryl (60–140 kb), topaz (60–150 kb)]. At least 4 pressure points per mineral are available.
Debye-Scherrer investigations of shocked materials revealed a gradual lattice breakdown of crystalline matter under shock. Individual mineral species behave selectively. Sheet silicates break down very easily, followed by tecto-silicates. Chain-, ino- and ortho-silicates are of considerably higher shock resistance. Depending on the mineral species, the first sign of shock damage is evidenced in the long range order at 20–70 kb. At intermediate pressures (100–200 kb) the long range order is essentially destroyed with the short range order heavily disturbed. At pressures exceeding 300 kb tecto-silicates are completely collapsed. The degree of internal fragmentation is strongly related to shock pressure, thus providing a sensitive tool for absolute pressure calibration of shocked materials.
The internal fragmentation is structurally controlled, leading to polycrystalline aggregates of strongly preferred orientation. The grain size distribution of the fragmentation products is highly heterogeneous. The mechanisms leading to fragmentation as evidenced by the X-ray patterns are highly complex. The formation of high pressure polymorphs is discussed.
Though application of the new results to naturally shocked rocks may have some limitations, the usefulness of Debye-Scherrer investigations in the study of shocked materials is demonstrated.
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Lunar Science Institute Contribution, No 2.
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Hörz, F., Quaide, W.L. Debye-scherrer investigations of experimentally shocked silicates. The Moon 6, 45–82 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02630652
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02630652