Roaldite is a rare meteorite mineral containing iron, nickel and nitrogen. Its chemical formula is (Fe,Ni)4N.

Roaldite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Fe,Ni)>4N
IMA symbolRoa[1]
Strunz classification1.BC.05
Dana classification1.1.18.2
Crystal systemCubic
Crystal classHextetrahedral (43m)
H–M Symbol: (4 3m)
Space groupP43m (no. 215)
Unit cella = 3.79 Å; Z = 1
Identification
ColourTin-white
Crystal habitPlatelets in kamacite
Mohs scale hardness5.5-6.5
LustreMetallic
DiaphaneityOpaque
Specific gravity7.21
Optical propertiesIsotropic
References[2][3]

It was first described in 1981 for an occurrence in the Youngedin meteorite, Avon, Western Australia. It was named after Roald Norbach Nielsen (born 1928), a Danish expert in electron microprobe. The mineral has also been reported from the Jerslev meteorite, Sjaelland, Denmark, and the Canyon Diablo meteorite of Meteor Crater in Arizona.[2]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b Mindat.org
  3. ^ Webmineral data