Silicate Samples Research Articles

Effects of Postmanufacture Conditioning on the Mechanical and Hygroscopic Properties of Extrusion Printed Wood–Sodium Silicate Composites

Abstract Additive manufacturing of wood–sodium silicate composites could aid in mitigating the carbon footprint of the building and construction industry. However, the effect of postmanufacture conditioning on the mechanical and physical properties of additively manufactured wood–sodium silicate composites is not well understood. This study investigated eight different postmanufacture drying processes, including: ambient indoor and outdoor conditions, oven-drying at two different temperatures, microwave drying, alcohol-induced dehydration using ethanol and denatured alcohol, and desiccant drying. Each postmanufacture conditioning treatment was assessed in terms of total moisture extraction and moisture extraction rate as well as the flexural strength, flexural stiffness, and hardness of the wood–sodium silicate samples after drying. In addition, the water absorption and volumetric swelling properties of the additively manufactured wood–sodium silicate samples were assessed via water submersion tests. The postmanufacture conditioning treatments were found to significantly affect the mechanical and physical properties of the samples. A universal ranking system was established based on cumulative rankings of each evaluated characteristic. Samples dried in ambient outdoor conditions achieved the best overall ranking and had the smallest carbon footprint. However, ovendried samples had the best flexural properties. Future studies investigating hybrid approaches in which composites are sequentially subjected to different drying methods will likely provide the most desirable mechanical and physical properties of wood–sodium silicate composites.

Influence of CO2 curing on mechanical properties and microstructure of hydrated magnesium silicate

Hydrated magnesium silicate (M-S-H) samples with good fluidity of 270 mm were prepared. The mechanical properties of the M-S-H samples cured in CO2 conditions were examined. Moreover, the M-S-H samples under 70 % RH wet curing and standard curing conditions were prepared as comparison samples. As a result, the mechanical properties of the M-S-H samples under CO2 curing conditions significantly improved. Compared to the M-S-H samples under 70 % RH wet curing and standard curing conditions, the 28-day compressive strength of the samples under CO2 curing conditions was increased by 116.83 % and 74.25 %, respectively. Additionally, the microstructure of the M-S-H samples under the three curing conditions was investigated using XRD, SEM-EDS, TG/DSC, FTIR, and pore structure analysis. The results revealed that brucite reacted with CO2 to form nesquehornite under CO2 curing conditions. Furthermore, the volume stability of M-S-H was greatly affected by humidity, exhibiting expansion under standard curing and strong shrinkage under 70 % RH wet curing, while CO2 curing can attenuate the shrinkage of the M-S-H samples.

Simultaneous Bulk‐Rock Elemental and Boron Isotope Ratio Measurement Using LA‐ICP‐MS on Silicate Micro‐Particulate Pellets

We have established a method for the simultaneous measurement of element abundances and boron isotopic compositions of bulk‐rock silicate samples by laser ablation coupled to two different ICP‐MS instruments. Fifteen silicate reference materials were prepared as micro‐particulate pressed powder pellets (MP) for analysis. Approximately 1/5th of the ablated material was transported to a single‐collector ICP‐MS for elemental measurement, while 4/5ths were sent to a multi‐collector ICP‐MS for boron isotope ratio measurement. Compositions of different milling materials (agate, zirconium oxide, tungsten carbide, sintered corundum and silicon nitride) were measured for the evaluation of potential contamination during sample preparation. Determined element mass fractions are in agreement with literature values within ±20%. For boron isotope ratios, the matrix‐dependent background elevation across the m/z from 9.9 to 11, and the effect of ablation mass was quantified. Measured δ11B values of most reference materials are consistent with literature values within ±1‰. The intermediate measurement precision is ±0.3‰ for JB‐2 with 30 μg g−1 B and ±0.4‰ for JA‐2 with 21 μg g−1 B. A publically available, web‐based streamlit app was developed for data processing (https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.11150471). This paves the way for combined, accurate and precise elemental and boron isotope ratio measurements of geological materials.

Investigation of a liquid-mediated defect-healing treatment in zeolite beta

We report the application of a liquid-mediated defect-healing treatment based on tetraethylammonium (TEA+) hydroxide and ammonium fluoride, and variants thereof, to the H+ form of zeolite beta. Through comparison between H-beta of high (730) and lower (28.6) SiO2: Al2O3 ratios, and characterisation of the treated samples before and after calcination, insights into the interaction of TEA+ and F− with H-beta under hydrothermal conditions were gained. In general, the treatments resulted in the loss of crystallinity and the generation of relatively large mesopores in the more siliceous samples, but improvements in long-range order and the development of relatively small mesopores in the less siliceous samples. The healing of silanol defects was observed for most of the treatments. A partial mechanism is proposed to explain the action of defect-healing treatments based on pore-occupying cations and F−; fluorine may be essential in some cases because it balances the charge of the organic cations, preventing the “trapping” of silanol groups as charge-balancing silanolate groups which resist healing.

Petrography and Geochemistry of Limestone Upper Cretaceous Kometan Formation (Azmir Anticline): A Preliminary Assessment for Cement Production Suitability in the Kurdistan Region Northeast Iraq

A succession of slightly siliceous limestone of the Kometan Formation is studied geochemically and strati graphically. The studied area is located on the SW limb of the Azmir anticline at the northeastern of Sulaimaniyah city. The studied section is situated at longitudes 45°38'310"E and latitudes 35°36'129''N inside the Folded Zone, Kurdistan Region, northeastern Iraq. The exposed section is sampled for lab studies, and inspected by eyes and hand lenses in the field. In this study, petrographic and geochemical analyses of 17 limestone samples were carried out. This study aims to investigate the major oxides of the limestone samples, using the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), for preliminary assessment for possible cement production. A petrographic study was also carried out, in order. Depending on the petrographic study, three major microfacies were recognized: lime mudstone microfacies, lime wackestone microfacies, and lime packstone microfacies, which subdivided into four submicrofacies are planktonic foraminifera lime mudstone submicrofacies, planktonic foraminifera lime wackestone submicrofacies, and planktonic foraminifera lime packstone submicrofacies and heterohelix lime packstone submicrofacies. The geochemical analysis shows that a range of variations in constituents: LOI (35.90% to 42,72%), SiO2 (3.77% to 14.66%), CaO (42.59% to 49.95%), Al2O3 (0.44% to 2.22%), Fe2O3 (0.02% to 0.78%) and MgO (1.50% to 2.26%); K2O and Na2O are present in traces. The high CaO (49.95%) indicates that calcite is the primary carbonate mineral. Due to mineralogical considerations, CaO with LOI shows a positive correlation, whereas CaO with SiO2 shows a negative correlation. The low MgO contents in calcitic limestone and calcitic limestone with chert nodules recommend a lack of dolomitization process. The silica modulus and lime saturation factor from geochemical data indicated that the siliceous limestone samples from the Kometan Formation and Azmir Anticline can be used in the cement-making process provided they are processed for silica removal treatment to reduce its percentage to less than 8%, as required level, where the CaO can be automatically enriched. Depending on field observation, petrography, and geochemistry analysis, we conclude that the source of the chert or silica minerals is diagenetic processes and depositional environment origin.

Using Fractal Theory to Study the Influence of Movable Oil on the Pore Structure of Different Types of Shale: A Case Study of the Fengcheng Formation Shale in Well X of Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, China

This study investigated the influence of movable oil on the pore structure of various shale types, analyzing 19 shale samples from Well X in the Mahu Sag of the Junggar Basin. Initially, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis classified the shale samples. Subsequently, the geochemical properties and pore structures of the samples, both pre and post oil Soxhlet extraction, were comparatively analyzed through Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content measurement, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and nitrogen adsorption experiments. Additionally, fractal theory quantitatively described the impact of movable oil on the pore structure of different shale types. Results indicated higher movable oil content in siliceous shale compared to calcareous shale. Oil extraction led to a significant increase in specific surface area and pore volume in all samples, particularly in siliceous shale. Calcareous shale predominantly displays H2–H3 type hysteresis loops, indicating a uniform pore structure with ink-bottle-shaped pores. Conversely, siliceous shale exhibited diverse hysteresis loops, reflecting its complex pore structure. The fractal dimension in calcareous shale correlated primarily with pore structure, exhibiting no significant correlation with TOC content before or after oil extraction. Conversely, the fractal dimension changes in siliceous shale samples do not have a clear correlation with either TOC content or pore structure, suggesting variations may result from both TOC and pore structure.

A Cretaceous siliceous sinter in NE China: Sedimentological and geochemical constraints on its genesis

Phanerozoic sinter deposits have been reported globally, with their identification mainly based on sedimentological, petrological, and mineralogical studies. In this study, a detailed geochemical investigation, combined with sedimentological characterization, was conducted on the Wugonglilu siliceous deposit, a Cretaceous (106 Ma) sinter in NE China, to examine its genesis. The deposit is inferred as a siliceous hot spring deposit (sinter) owing to its geological setting in an epithermal gold-mining district, its morphologically variable microbial textures typical of subaerial sinters, and nearly pure silica composition. Three lithofacies were recognized in this study, including laminated to thinly bedded sinter, silica-cemented breccia, and epithermal vein, which represent deposits from three contrasting hydrothermal environments. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the sinter are similar to the bedrock through which the geothermal fluids passed, namely the Upper Triassic Dajiahe Formation (T3dj), a marine siliceous rock unit, and the Lower Cretaceous Datashanlinchang Formation (K1d), a rhyolite unit. Results indicate that both underlying units are possible Sr sources of the silica in the Wugonglilu sinter. The REE + Y (rare-earth elements and yttrium) patterns of the sinter exhibit significant variability, primarily due to terrestrial detrital contamination. Differential REE + Y contamination by terrestrial detritus was striking in the white and dark laminae/beds of the laminated to thinly bedded sinter. The white laminae/beds, generally less contaminated, were probably formed during the dry season, whereas the dark laminae/beds exhibiting greater detrital contamination were likely formed during the wet season. When excluding the samples strongly contaminated by detritus, the sinter exhibits Y anomalies comparable to Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS), and to the adjacent underlying K1d rhyolite and T3dj siliceous rock samples, indicating that these anomalies were not inherited from rocks dominating the reservoirs. Furthermore, the sinter shows a (Ce/Ce*)N range close to that of the underlying marine siliceous rock and rhyolite samples, reflecting that the (Ce/Ce*)N of the sinter is largely inherited from the reservoir rock(s). The overall REE + Y patterns of the sinter range from nearly flat to LREE-depleted, similar to some samples of the K1d rhyolite and T3dj siliceous rock units. However, most samples of the K1d rhyolite and T3dj siliceous rock display (Pr/Tb)N and (Pr/Yb)N higher than many studied sinter samples. This is likely because of the formation of strong HREE–carbonate complexes during groundwater migration. Based on these results, a generalized formation model of the studied sinter system was constructed. This study suggests that integrated sedimentological and geochemical investigations can aid in interpreting the genesis of sinter deposits, in particular the link between sinter deposits and corresponding reservoir rocks.

Sources of Li isotope bias during SIMS analysis of standard glasses

The 7Li/6Li ratios in fourteen USGS, MPI-DING, and NIST glass reference materials (RMs) were analyzed by LG-SIMS to assess compositional matrix effects, evaluate RM δ7Li homogeneity, and calculate the useful yield of lithium in silicate glasses. The analyzed RMs cover a range of SiO2 contents from 45.5 to 75.6% (komatiite to rhyolite), the largest compositional range yet evaluated for δ7Li matrix effects. We observe a matrix-induced bias (matrix effect) of up to 18‰ over the studied range that has a negative linear correlation with SiO2 content, demonstrating that SiO2 content is a critical factor that must be considered when using silicate glasses to standardize for silicate samples of unknown δ7Li composition. All RMs were found to be sufficiently reproducible to aid in standardization of variable SiO2 contents and appear isotopically homogeneous at the precision of our measurements. Lithium ionizes very efficiently in these RMs, with measurable yields >5% in all fused-rock RMs and > 15% in low SiO2 fused-rock RMs measured at high beam intensities. Fused-rock RMs ionize lithium 2-3× more efficiently than synthetic glass RMs, which may be related to differences in major oxide chemistry and the reduced nature of the synthetic glasses relative to their fused counterparts.

Unlocking the potential: analyzing 3D microstructure of small-scale cement samples from space using deep learning

Due to the prohibitive cost of transporting raw materials into Space, in-situ materials along with cement-like binders are poised to be employed for extraterrestrial construction. A unique methodology for obtaining microstructural topology of cement samples hydrated in microgravity environment at the International Space Station (ISS) is presented here. Distinctive Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs of hardened tri-calcium silicate (C3S) samples were used as exemplars in a deep learning-based microstructure reconstruction framework. The proposed method aids in generation of an ensemble of microstructures that is inherently statistical in nature, by utilizing sparse experimental data such as the C3S samples hydrated in microgravity. The hydrated space-returned samples had exhibited higher porosity content (~70 %) with the portlandite phase assuming an elongated plate-like morphology. Qualitative assessment of the volumetric slices from the reconstructed volumes showcased similar visual characteristics to that of the target 2D exemplar. Detailed assessment of the reconstructed volumes was carried out using statistical descriptors, and was further compared against micro-CT virtual data. The reconstructed volumes captured the unique microstructural morphology of the hardened C3S samples of both space-returned and ground-based samples, and can be directly employed as Representative Volume Element (RVE) to characterize mechanical/transport properties.

Effect of high concentration of ZnO on the structural and optical properties of silicate glass system

An investigation was conducted to explore the optimum composition to fabricate a zinc silicate glass substrate for optoelectronic device applications. The composition was determined based on the empirical formula (ZnO)x-(SiO2)1-x, where x = 0.40, 0.50, 0.60 and 0.70 wt%, which was prepared by the conventional melt quenching technique. The focus is on characterizing the physical and structural aspects as well as the optical properties of the glass substrate. The physical properties of zinc silicate samples were assessed using the densitometer and their physical appearance. In addition, the materials' amorphous and glassy characteristics were verified using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. Finally, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectrometer were used to study the optical properties of samples. The density of the samples was observed to increase from 2805 to 3878 kg/m3 as the percentage of ZnO in the glass composition increased. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the absence of sharp peaks in the samples containing up to 0.60 wt% of ZnO, suggesting the presence of an amorphous phase. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate that ZnO-SiO2 glass substrate samples favor direct forbidden transitions, with an increase in ZnO leading to higher absorption and consequently a lower band gap. The photoluminescence spectrum showed blue light emissions at 422 nm, associating with the variation of band gaps in the ZnO phase. Overall, from the interesting results achieved, this zinc silicate-based composite material at 0.60 wt% ZnO can be a potent candidate in optoelectronic applications, among other concentrations used in this study.

Copper nanoparticle and point defect formation in Cu+-Na+ ion-exchanged glass using protons of 2 MeV energy.

There are several applications for irradiating materials with protons that could provide alternative methodologies to synthesize and induce the formation of new compounds of different size scales. In this study, we explored the effects of proton irradiation oncommercial glass silicate that was previously subjected to a Cu+-Na+ ion exchange (IE) treatment at 600 °C for a duration of 60 min. The ion-exchanged glass samples were irradiated with protons (p+) of 2 MeV energy at doses in the range of thousands of grays (3.3 × 103, 7.9 × 103 Gy) and hundreds of thousands of grays (3.6 × 105 Gy). Significant changes in the optical and structural properties were observed post the radiation treatment. The UV-Visible absorption spectra of the irradiated samples revealed the appearance of overlapping absorption bands, which could be deconvoluted into three Gaussian-shaped bands peaking at 566, 620 and 680 nm. These three bands could be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of copper nanoparticles, non-bridging oxygen hole centers (NBOHCs) and self-trapped hole (STH) defects, respectively. Prominent photoluminescence (PL) was observed in the Cu-exchanged and irradiated samples, mainly induced by the presence of both Cu+ and Cu2O. Increasing the irradiation dose led to an increase in the PL intensity due to the conversion of Cu2+ ions into Cu+. This result was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy that shows a decrease in the Cu2+ signal when increasing the dose of proton exposure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (TEM and HRTEM) observations confirmed the presence of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) in the doped and p+ irradiated Cu-exchanged glass silicate samples. These CuNPs were found to be crystalline with an average size of 12.39 nm.

Evaluation of two methods allowing the full preparation in a single day of silicate rocks in view of radiogenic isotope (Nd, Sr, and Pb) analyses

In this paper, two approaches are described aiming to circumvent the bottle-neck associated with sample decomposition of silicate samples and subsequent isolation of three elements (Nd, Sr, and Pb) of interest for their radiogenic isotope compositions.

Processing of lithium aluminium silicate glass-ceramics and investigations of fracture behaviour and its correlation with the microstructural features

Lithium Aluminium Silicate (LAS) samples were fabricated through a melt casting process using Lithium carbonate, Aluminium hydroxide, Silica and other additives as raw materials. The melt was drain casted at 1300 °C in a pre-heated mould followed by annealing and ceramization at 850 °C. Ceramized samples were subjected to X-ray diffraction. The density of the samples was found to be in the range of 2.53–2.54 g/cm3. The sample was found free from bubbles and inclusions after optically polishing. Mechanical properties including hardness, flexural strength, fracture toughness and compressive strength of LAS samples were evaluated. Knoop hardness of the LAS samples was found to be 597–669 kg/mm2. LAS sample exhibited a peak flexural strength of 110–114 MPa and compressive strength of 221 MPa before fracture. Additionally, the total fracture energy release rate (Jc) of LAS samples along with R-curve and fractography were also studied. R-curve exhibited an increasing trend of Jc with respect to normalised displacement without any sign of saturation indicating the scope for optimisation of quantification of crystals fraction in the glass matrix to obtain the predominant toughening behaviour. Finally, the physico-chemical, microstructural and optical properties were measured and correlated with the mechanical properties observed. Near to theoretical density, high crystallinity and superior mechanical properties of processed LAS glass-ceramic can be used in strategic and civilian applications.

Direct accurate Eu anomaly analysis in very high Ba/Eu silicate samples by triple-quadrupole ICP-MS in MS/MS mass shift mode

The concentration of Eu relative to neighbouring rare earth elements (REE) is an important tool in petrology and geobiology. In most sample matrices, precise and accurate middle REE concentration data can be obtained by direct ICP-MS analysis with careful correction of interferences (chiefly, BaO+ on Eu+ and NdO+ on Gd+). However, geologically interesting samples, including sediments from mid-ocean-ridge and other hydrothermal settings, certain limestones, Precambrian cherts, and some alkali-feldspars have such high Ba/Eu ratios that signals on both Eu isotopes are dominated by BaO. This necessitates high resolution mass spectrometry, highly accurate oxide-correction in these matrices, or requires the separation of the REE from the Ba-rich matrix prior to ICP-MS analysis. Here we report experiments with a triple-quadrupole ICP-MS where Eu was analysed as the mass shifted EuO+ after reaction with N2O or O2 for analysis of Palaeoarchaean cherts. Results were compared to conventional REE analysis with a generic oxide correction as well as individual sample oxide correction. It was found that the triple-quadrupole ICP-MS method with N2O reaction and the conventional ICP-MS analysis with individual sample oxide correction yielded indistinguishable middle REE data for samples with Ba/Eu of up to 125,000. The other two methods overestimated the Eu concentration in samples with Ba/Eu > 10,000, leading to spuriously high positive Eu anomalies, which could be misinterpreted as dominant high-temperature hydrothermal venting into the ancient ocean, for which there is currently no convincing evidence. The triple-quadrupole ICP-MS method with N2O reaction offers a fast, low-blank and high-sensitivity solution to REE analysis of high Ba/Eu geological matrices. Based on the insight from these experiments, we propose criteria with which legacy Eu anomaly data can be assessed for accuracy and inclusion into deep time secular trend studies.

Modified approaches to prepare nano-magnesium silicates with hierarchical pore structure and their performance towards adsorption of Cd2.

A series of flower-like magnesium silicate samples with hierarchical pore were prepared by the solvothermal method under template-free conditions using sodium dodecyl sulfate as the modifier and ethanol-water as the solvent. These samples were characterized by various methods and were evaluated for the adsorption of heavy metal Cd2+. The results showed that the adding modifier did not change the crystal structure of the magnesium silicate samples. In the range of 2~80 nm, they still showed hierarchical pore distribution mainly composed of mesopores and macropores, which facilitates the rapid transport of adsorbent within the pore channel. Therefore, the adsorption of Cd2+ was greatly accelerated. Meanwhile, the larger specific surface area (as high as 553 m2/g) of these samples significantly increased the theoretical maximum adsorption amount of Cd2+ up to 295.3 mg/g due to more available adsorption sites. The adsorption dynamic behavior of the samples on Cd2+ was in accordance with the pseudo-second-order adsorption model, and their thermodynamic behavior follows the Langmuir adsorption model. The adsorption mechanism of the sample was proposed as electrostatic adsorption and exchange of metal ions and acidic groups on its surface with ions in solution. The obtained magnesium silicate materials are expected to remove heavy metals from wastewater.

Effect of dolomite on cationic reverse flotation of iron ore with amide-amine

The reverse cationic flotation of siliceous iron ore containing dolomite is a current challenge in some mines of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero - Brazil, since the starch adsorbs on sites containing Ca and Mg species, previously adsorbed and/or precipitated on the quartz surface, thus preventing the adsorption of the collector (amine), and consequently, affecting the selectivity in the separation between quartz and iron bearing minerals. In previous studies on flotation of siliceous iron ore, using new amide-amine (pKa = 8.2) collector, selectivity was obtained in the process without the use of starch. In this work, the influence of Ca and Mg ions, added as CaCl2 and MgCl2, on the surface properties of quartz and hematite in pH 8 and 10.5, using amide-amine with and without the use of starch, as well as the effect of the collector and depressant on the surface properties of dolomite was evaluated. In bench scale flotation tests with an artificial siliceous iron ore sample containing dolomite (2.5%), it was found that starch (200 g/t) was required for the effective flotation of the ore at pH 8, which produced concentrate with 55% Fe, 25% SiO2 and 17.5% Fe in the tailing with 50 g/t of collector.

(433) Eros and (25143) Itokawa surface properties from reflectance spectra

Context. Our knowledge of near-Earth asteroid (NEA) composition is important for planetary research, planetary defence, and future in-space resource utilisation. Upcoming space missions, for example, Hera, M-ARGO, or missions to the asteroid (99942) Apophis, will provide us with surface-resolved NEA reflectance spectra. Neural networks are useful tools for analysing reflectance spectra and determining material composition with high precision and low processing time. Aims. We applied neural-network models on disk-resolved spectra of the Eros and Itokawa asteroids observed by the NEAR Shoemaker and Hayabusa spacecraft. With this approach, the mineral variations or intensity of space weathering can be mapped. Methods. We built and tested two types of convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The first one was trained using asteroid reflectance spectra with known taxonomy classes. The other one used silicate reflectance spectra with assigned mineral abundances and compositions. Results. The reliability of the classification model depends on the resolution of reflectance spectra. Typical F1 score and Cohen's κC values decrease from about 0.90 for high-resolution spectra to about 0.70 for low-resolution spectra. The predicted silicate composition does not strongly depend on spectrum resolution and coverage of the 2-µm band of pyroxene. The typical root mean square error is between 6 and 10 percentage points. For the Eros and Itokawa asteroids, the predicted taxonomy classes favour the S-type and the predicted surface compositions are homogeneous and correspond to the composition of L/LL and LL ordinary chondrites, respectively. On the Itokawa surface, the model identified fresh spots that were connected with craters or coarse-grain areas. Conclusions. The neural network models trained with measured spectra of asteroids and silicate samples are suitable for deriving surface silicate mineralogy with a reasonable level of accuracy. The predicted surface mineralogy is comparable to the mineralogy of returned samples measured in the laboratory. Moreover, the taxonomical predictions can point out locations of fresher areas.

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Amorphous Silicates with an Enstatite and Forsterite Composition

The presence of amorphous silicate particles in interstellar and circumstellar space has been suggested based on the observation of 9.7 and 18 μm emission bands. We have successfully synthesized amorphous silicate samples of an enstatite and forsterite composition by the mechanical milling of mixed powder consisting of SiO2–MgO and SiO2–Mg(OH)2 reagent-grade particles under different rotation frequencies and milling times. These two types of starting materials are prepared to study the effect of the OH bond on synthesis and crystallization. The amorphous samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Amorphous samples with enstatite composition are synthesized from both SiO2–MgO and SiO2–Mg(OH)2 at 300 rpm and for 300 hr. Amorphous samples with forsterite composition are synthesized from both SiO2–MgO and SiO2–Mg(OH)2. The samples from SiO2–Mg(OH)2 require 400 rpm and a long milling time of 1600 hr. After crystallization, amorphous samples with an enstatite composition synthesized from SiO2–Mg(OH)2 mainly transform into forsterite with small amounts of amorphous silica SiO2 and enstatite depending on the rotation frequencies and milling time, while those from SiO2–MgO become enstatite. The amorphous samples with a forsterite composition are crystallized to forsterite from both starting materials. The presence of H2O or OH bonds significantly affects the final products after the crystallization of amorphous silicates of enstatite composition.

Diffusion and Thermal Shock Behaviour of Silicate Dental Ceramics

The purpose of this study is to examine the diffusion and thermal shock behaviour of the alternative dental silicates. The samples derived from BaO-SiO2 system have been produced by melting process and followed by the heat treatment. X-ray examinations have indicated that the amount of orthorhombic sanbornite phase rised due to treatment temperature as revealed by the peak intensities. The alteration of the morphology by treatment temperature was evident from scanning electron microscopy SEM images. Crystallization at low temperature produced small crystallites and coarsening was not observed with a rise in temperature. The failure of the dental samples after the thermal shock test was examined using SEM. A continuous crack geometry and very few crack branching were observed. Diffusivity constant (D) and diffusion rate were examined vs treatment temperature for the present system. Diffusion depth (L) was doubled when the crystallization treatment was applied. Based on the obtained results, these silicate samples might take part in the further characterization studies to be used as alternative dentistry materials.

Precise U–Pb zircon dates from silicic super-eruptions during late Ediacaran extension in the Avalonian Caledonia terrane of southern New Brunswick, Canada

The Coldbrook Group and related plutons in the Caledonian Highlands of southern New Brunswick contain voluminous late Ediacaran silicic rocks formed in a magmatic event not recognized in other parts of Avalonia in the northern Appalachian orogen. To better constrain the age and origin of these rocks, we used U–Pb zircon dating by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to check for older inherited zircon and obtain trace element data, followed by chemical abrasion isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA-TIMS) to obtain precise dates. Four silicic samples were dated from the Coldbrook Group, one from the Bonnell Brook pluton, and, for comparison, a felsic lithic-crystal tuff sample from the older arc-related Broad River Group. Overlapping CA-TIMS dates of 551.57 ± 0.23, 551.38 ± 0.24, and 551.70 ± 0.20 Ma for samples from the lower, middle, and upper Coldbrook Group, respectively, and 551.71 ± 0.19 Ma for granite from the Bonnell Brook pluton show that these units crystallized in 760 000 years or less, consistent with a super-eruption event. Rhyolite from the uppermost unit of the Coldbrook Group yielded a younger date of 549.18 ± 0.09 Ma, but the large extent of that unit is consistent with the possibility of a second younger super-eruption. The felsic lithic-crystal tuff sample from the Broad River Group yielded a date of 615.48 ± 0.16 Ma, consistent with previously published dates from that group and associated plutons. Differences in zircon chemistry between the Broad River Group sample and the late Ediacaran samples are consistent with the contrasting subduction-related vs within-plate extensional tectonic settings as suggested by previous studies of whole-rock petrological characteristics of the two age groups.