Geographic Minerals

Haxonite

Haxonite

Haxonite is an iron-nickel carbide mineral found in iron meteorites and carbonaceous chondrites. It has a chemical formula of (Fe, Ni)23C6, crystallizes in the cubic crystal system and has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 – 6. It is iron-nickel carbide mineral.

It was first described in 1971 and named after Howard J. Axon (1924–1992), a metallurgist at the University of Manchester, Manchester, England. Co-type localities are the Toluca meteorite, Xiquipilco, Mexico and the Canyon Diablo meteorite, Meteor Crater, Coconino County, Arizona, US.

General Information

  • Formula: (Fe, Ni)23C6
  • Specific Gravity: 7.70 (Calculated)
  • Crystal System: Isometric
  • Transparency: Opaque

Fig: Haxonite – an iron-nickel carbide mineral

Properties

  • Color: Tin white.
  • Density: 7.7
  • Diaphaneity: Opaque
  • Habit: Microscopic Crystals – Crystals visible only with microscopes.
  • Hardness: 5.5-6 – Knife Blade-Orthoclase
  • Luster: Metallic

Occurrence: In iron meteorites and carbonaceous chondrites. It occurs associated with kamacite, taenite, schreibersite, cohenite, pentlandite, and magnetite.

Association: Kamacite, taenite, schreibersite, cohenite, pentlandite, magnetite.

 

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