Letter | Published:

Amorphous structure of metamict minerals observed by TEM

Nature 293, 449–450 (1981) | Download Citation

Subjects

Abstract

Metamict minerals are a special class of materials which were initially crystalline but have become amorphous because of accumulated structural damage caused by the radioactive decay of their constituent U and Th nuclides1–3. Damage from α particles and recoil nuclei may cause dramatic changes in physical, chemical, mechanical and structural properties of materials4–6. Thus, metamict minerals provide a natural example of the potential long-term effects of radiation damage in proposed crystalline radioactive waste forms7, such as the Sandia ceramic waste forms8–10, SYNROC11–13, super-calcine14 or the tailored ceramics15. The determination of the microstructures of metamict materials, therefore, may help to predict long-term radiation effects in crystalline waste forms. This report presents the results of an examination by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of a wide range of metamict silicate and complex Nb–Ta–Ti oxide minerals.

Access optionsAccess options

Rent or Buy article

Get time limited or full article access on ReadCube.

from$8.99

Rent or Buy

All prices are NET prices.

References

  1. 1

    Broegger, W. C. Salmonsens Store Illustrerede Konversationslexikon 1, 742–743 (1893).

    • 2

      Graham, J. & Thornber, M. R. Am. Miner. 59, 1047–1050 (1974).

    • 3

      Ewing, R. C. Am. Miner. 60, 728–733 (1975).

    • 4

      Pabst, A. Am. Miner. 37, 137–157 (1952).

    • 5

      Ewing, R. C. & Haaker, R. F. J. Nucl. Chem. Waste Mgmt 1, 51–57 (1980).

    • 6

      Ewing, R. C. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 39, 521–530 (1975).

    • 7

      Ewing, R. C. Science 192, 1336–1337 (1976).

    • 8

      Lynch, R. W., Dosch, R. G., Kenna, B. T., Johnstone, J. K. & Nowak, E. J. Proc. IAEA Symp. on the Management of Radioactive Wastes (IAEA-SM 207/15 Vienna, 1976).

      • 9

        Dosch, R. G. Am. Cer. Soc. Symp. Ser. No. 100, 129–148 (1979).

        • 10

          Dosch, R. G., Hlava, P. F. & Headley, T. J. Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management Vol. 3 (ed. Moore, J.) (Plenum, New York, in the press).

          • 11

            Ringwood, A. E. Safe Disposal of High Level Nuclear Reactor Wastes: A New Strategy (Australian National University Press, 1978).

            • 12

              Oversby, V. M. and Ringwood, A. E. Radioact. Waste Mgmt 1, 289–307 (1981).

            • 13

              Ringwood, A. E. et al. J. Nucl. Chem. Waste Mgmt (in the press).

              • 14

                McCarthy, G. J. Nucl. Technol. 32, 92–105 (1977).

              • 15

                Harker, A. B., Jantzen, C. M., Morgan, P. E. & Clark, D. R. in Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management Vol. 3 (ed. Moore, J.) (Plenum, New York, in the press).

                • 16

                  Ewing, R. C. Can. Miner. 13, 521–530 (1975).

                • 17

                  Holland, H. D. & Gottfried, D. Acta crystallogr 8, 291–300 (1955).

                • 18

                  Christ, C. L., Dwornik, E. J. & Tischler, M. S. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 65, 1240 (1954).

                • 19

                  Bursill, L. A. & McLaren, A. C. Phys. Status Solid. 13, 331–343 (1966).

                • 20

                  Sommerauer, J. thesis, Eidgenoessischen Technischen Hochschule Zurich (1976).

                  • 21

                    Headley, T. J., Ewing, R. C. & Haaker, R. F. 39th A. Proc. Electron Microscopy Soc. Am. (ed. Bailey, G. W.) 112–113 (Claitor's, Baton Rouge, 1981).

                    • 22

                      Yada, K., Tanji, T. & Sunagawa, I. Phys. Chem. Miner. 7, 47–52 (1981).

                    • 23

                      Rudee, M. L. in Electron Microscopy in Mineralogy (ed. Wenk, H.-R.) 476–487 (Springer, Berlin, 1976).

                      • 24

                        Ehlmann, A. J., Walper, J. L. & Williams, J. Econ. Geol. 59, 1348–1360 (1964).

                      • 25

                        Gibson, S. & Ehlmann, A. J. Am. Miner. 55, 288–291 (1970).

                      • 26

                        Ewing, R. C. & Ehlmann, A. J. Am. Miner. 58, 545–547 (1973).

                      • 27

                        Ewing, R. C. thesis, Stanford Univ. (1974).

                        • 28

                          Hongslo, T. & Langmyhr, F. J. Norsk geol. Tidsskr. 40, 157–164 (1960).

                        • 29

                          Ewing, R. C. Science 184, 561–562 (1974).

                        Download references

                        Author information

                        Affiliations

                        1. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87185, USA

                          • T. J. Headley

                        2. Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, USA

                          • Rodney C. Ewing
                          •  & Richard F. Haaker

                        Authors

                        1. Search for T. J. Headley in:

                        2. Search for Rodney C. Ewing in:

                        3. Search for Richard F. Haaker in:

                        To obtain permission to re-use content from this article visit RightsLink.

                        About this article

                        Publication history

                        Received

                        Accepted

                        Issue Date

                        DOI

                        https://doi.org/10.1038/293449a0

                        Further reading

                        Comments

                        By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.