A new method for the investigation of orientation relationships in meteoritic plessite

The orientation relationship (OR) between the bcc and fcc phase in the plessite microstructure of the iron meteorites Watson, Agpalilik and Gibeon has been analysed in a scanning electron microscope using electron back‐scattered diffraction (EBSD). A very strong OR exists, independently on the analysed plessite type and the observed spreading of single orientation data. The agreement between the experimental orientation distribution and existing models varies for each meteorite. The black plessite in the Agpalilik corresponds to the Nishiyama‐Wassermann model whereas the duplex plessite of the Gibeon meteorite shows an OR close to the Kurdjumov‐Sachs model. The Watson meteorite is strongly deformed so that a general OR is difficult to determine due to the blurred experimental orientation distribution. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)