Magnetite



Chemical formula: Fe3O4
Melting point: 1597 oC
Density: 5.125 g/cm3
Microhardnes: No data
Hardness (Moh's): 5.5-6
Luminescence: Non-fluorescent
Colour in air, bright field reflection: Light grey
Colour, polarized reflection: No data
Shape: Round off, smooth
Crystal system: Cubic
Cell dimensions: a=4.8374 A
PDF number: 00-001-1111
ICSD number: 065339
Note: Magnetite is important constituent of the oxide scale on iron and steel. It is therefore often present on surface layers, in surface cracks or in inclusions from slags or from scales. Magnetite is, together with alpha-iron a transformation product of wustite bellow 560oC, but this transformation is often partial or incomplete. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between wustite and magnetite, which are both cubic and often grow in close contact, but etching with 4% Nital, gives darker colour for the wustite phase.



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