The growing of single crystals of magnetite

Abstract

Large, single crystals of magnetite, 1 cm in diameter and up to 4.3 cm long, of high purity and perfection have been grown from the melt. The density at 20° is 5.185, i.e., 99.58 percent of the x-ray density. The composition corresponds to stoichiometric Fe3O4 within analytical error. Phase diagram considerations, growing procedure, methods of chemical analysis, and composition data are discussed.