Formula: γ-(Ni,Fe)
Origin of name: from Greek tainia for band in allusion to the flattened form.
Crystal system: Cubic/Isometric
Crystal class: 4/m 3 2/m
Twinning:
Unit cell: a = 3.596 Å
Colour: Silver-white to grayish white
Diaphaneity: Opaque
Luster: Metallic
Habit: As small plates and grains, fine scales and large masses to 40 kg (terrestrial), as intergrowths and narrow rims on kamacite in meteorites
Hardness: 5-5.5
Specific gravity: 7.8 to 8.22
Cleavage: None
Tenacity: Malleable, flexible
Streak: Light gray
Synonyms/varieties: nickel-iron, antitaenite
Comments: strongly magnetic, found in meteorites only
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