Synthesis of new polytype modifications of Fe7C3 AT 5,5 GPa

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental studies on the synthesis of carbide Fe7C3 at 5,5 GPa. It was found that carbide Fe3C and several polytypes of carbide Fe7C3 are formed together with diamond when the system is cooled. It is believed that Fe7C3 carbide may be a component of the Earth’s inner core. The obtained results indicate that carbide Fe7C3 in the form of polytypic modifications under natural conditions could be formed at relatively low pressures at the stage of differentiation of the Earth.