Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Rietmeijer, F. J. M..
Poorly-graphitized carbon particles are formed during manufacture of sample substrates (holey carbon films) for Analytical Electron Microscopy studies of small particles. The particles form during heat treatment of cellulose acetobutyrate at about 975 C and 1050 C. In AEM studies of fine-grained carbonaceous extraterrestrial materials, these particles are easily recognized.
A model is proposed which eases the thermal constraints imposed by earlier models of low-temperature aqueous alteration in primitive extraterrestrial materials in which formation of an aqueous medium promoting these alterations required complete melting of the water-ice. It is argued that low-temperature alterations in a protoplanetary body such as the formation of hydrated silicates will occur because of the presence of an interfacial water layer.
A detailed study of the Bjurbole fusion crust using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis (EDS) shows that filamentary crystals and ablation spheres may form on the meteoroid surface. Filamentary crystals, hollow spheres, and porous regions of the surface point to a period of intense vapor phase activity during atmospheric passage. Filamentary crystals can be divided into three categories on the basis of bulk composition and morphology. Two types of filamentary crystals are vapor phase condensation products formed during atmospheric entry of the meteoroid. The other type forms by the interaction of seawater with the fusion surface. The density and composition of ablation spheres varies with the flight orientation of the meteorite. The size range and composition of iron-nickel spheres on the surface of Bjurbole are similar to spheres collected in the stratosphere. A comparison of stratospheric dust collections with meteorite surfaces may provide further insight into the mechanisms of meteoroid entry into planetary atmospheres.