Subsolidus Data for the Join Ca2SiO4—CaMgSiO4 and the Stability of Merwinite1

Della M. Roy
College of Mineral Industries, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
1Contribution no. 54–66, College of Mineral Industries.
Communicated by Dr. M. H. Hey

Summary: A study of phase equilibria among the orthosilicates on the Ca2SiO4—CaMgSiO4 join was undertaken with the use of hydrothermal techniques in the temperature range 600–900°C. at water pressures from 1000 to 15000 psi. Monticellite, merwinite, and Ca2SiO4 crystallize as pure phases throughout this temperature range, and intermediate compositions contain mixtures of the end members. Powder X-ray diffraction data obtained on the mixtures indicate no change in lattice dimensions from the end members. Hence, very little or no solid solution is indicated at these temperatures. Ca2SiO4 was crystallized as the γ-form below 675°C. (at 2000 psi) and the β-form above this temperature (presumably having inverted from the α′-form on cooling to room temperature). Infra-red absorption spectra obtained on the compounds γ-Ca2SiO4, β-Ca2SiO4, merwinite, and monticellite show characteristic differences in the pattern within the 9–13 micron region. All the data thus appear to confirm merwinite as a unique compound stable in the temperature range studied.

Mineralogical Magazine; June 1956 v. 31; no. 233; p. 187-194; DOI: 10.1180/minmag.1956.031.233.07
© 1956, The Mineralogical Society
Mineralogical Society (www.minersoc.org)