Neutron Texture Investigations on Natural Mt. Isa Chalcopyrite Ore – Part II: Preferred Orientation of Chalcopyrite After Different Experimental Deformation Conditions

Abstract

Natural chalcopyrite samples from Mt. Isa, Australia were axially shortened at a constant confining pressure of 300 (400) MPa, at different temperatures from 25-450C, in the strain rate range of 3.10-5-6-10-sec-1. Neutron diffraction texture analyses of all deformed samples were carded out and compared to the preferred orientation before the experimental deformation.The preferred orientation of the experimentally undeformed samples consists of three main orientation components, which become weaker with deformation at temperatures to 200C. One or two new components (A, B) develop with the c-axes perpendicular to the principal strain direction. At a deformation temperature of 250C and to slower strain rates at 200C the relics of the original components are stronger. After deformation at temperatures of 300C to 450C in general two different types of preferred orientation were detected. One type (2NF) shows two different new components (A*, C), the original components are completely dissolved. The other type (IN) shows the original components partially more concentrated, especially to slower strain rates, and shifting into the directions of the new components of the type 2NF.