Abstract
Dispersed carbonaceous material concentrated from some New Zealand and Japanese metamorphic rocks has been analysed by X-ray and electron diffraction methods. A classification to describe sub-graphitic material (graphite-d) is proposed. Progressive graphitization is related to metamorphic grade as conventionally defined by mineral assemblages. Thus carbonaceous material in zeolite facies rocks as well as some lawsonite-albite-chlorite facies rocks is nearly amorphous (graphite-d 3); material from slightly higher grade rocks of the lawsonite-albite-chlorite, pumpellyite-actinolite, greenschist, and blueschist facies show a more advanced degree of crystallinity (graphite-d 2,-d 1). Fully-ordered graphite is first recognized in albite-epidote amphibolite and amphibolite facies rocks.
X-ray diffraction data are also presented for New Zealand coals of known rank. Lignite and high volatile bituminous coal samples yield graphite -d 3 patterns. A low volatile bituminous sample is transitional between graphite-d 2 and -d 3, while a semi-anthracite sample is graphite-d 2.
Analysis of X-ray and electron diffraction data permits some understanding of the structure of sub-graphitic materials. It is shown that peak broadening may be produced by structural variations within a given sample, and for this reason the estimation of crystallite size solely on the basis of diffractograms should be regarded with caution.
The controls of graphitization are discussed and it is tentatively concluded that graphitization is primarily dependent upon metamorphic temperature; pressure and variation in starting material presumably constitute secondary controls. Under metamorphic conditions, true graphite probably forms above 400° C.
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Landis, C.A. Graphitization of dispersed carbonaceous material in metamorphic rocks. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 30, 34–45 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373366
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373366