A three‐dimensional study of metal grains in equilibrated, ordinary chondrites

Abstract

Metal particles in Guareña (H6), Colby (L6) and St. Severin (LL6) were studied by optical microscopy and by electron microprobe analysis. Observations from successive polished sections through the metal particles show that kamacite and taenite grains, which often appear to be isolated particles, are connected directly or by intervening sulfides. Also tetrataenite rims are widest when adjacent to sulfide or kamacite. These observations indicate that transfer of Ni during cooling when kamacite‐taenite phase growth takes place does not occur through the silicate phases but proceeds through metal and sulfide phases or along grain boundaries. By utilizing the central Ni content of taenite grains from successive sections, metallographic cooling rates were determined more precisely than by using one arbitrary section. Cooling rates determined in this manner for Guareña, Colby, and St. Severin are 4.3 K m.y.−1, 4.0 K m.y.−1, and 1.0 K m.y.−1, respectively.