Osbornite

Osbornite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
TiN
IMA symbolObn
Strunz classification1.BC.15
Dana classification1.1.19.1
Crystal systemisometric
Space groupFm3m
Unit cella = 4.24173 Å Z=4 V=76.32 Å3
Structure
SMILES
[Ti].[N]
(SMILES input only shows in Preview. SMILES is used to create the Jmol 3D image.)
Identification
Formula mass61.874
Colourgolden yellow
Tenacitybrittle
Mohs scale hardness8.5
Lustermetallic
Streakyellow
Diaphaneityopaque
Density5.24 g/mL
Melting point2930 °C

Osbornite is a naturally occurring variety of titanium nitride. It was first discovered in the Bustee meteorite in the late nineteenth century.[1] Its crystals are golden-yellow octahedrons, combined with oldhamite. It is friable and does not dissolve in acids.[2]

Osbornite is usually found only in meteorites, but osbornite of terrestrial origin has been found in one location in the continental collision zone of Tibet. Osbornite requires extraordinarily low redox potential and very high temperatures (2500–3000 K) to form.[3]

  1. ^ Carr, L. P.; Pillinger, C. T. "Nitrogen Isotopic Composition of Osbornite from the Bustee Meteorite". Lunar and Planetary Science. XV: 129–130. Bibcode:1984LPI....15..129C.
  2. ^ E.L. Krinov (1960). Principles of Meteorics. Pergamon Press. p. 335.
  3. ^ G. Parthasarathy; et al. (Aug 2016). "Osbornite (TiN): Implications for an extraterrestrial origin of carbonado- diamonds". 35th International Geological Congress At: Cape Town, South Africa.