A new quartz phase, stable at room temperature, that has been discovered during friction treatment - An X-ray diffraction study

The discovery of a new quartz phase that is stable at room temperature is reported. The phase has been formed during the friction treatment of quartz in a centrifugal planetary mill (i.e., artificial impact action combining pressure and high temperature). An X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the crystallographic parameters of the new phase are very close to those of the beta phase. The conditions leading to the formation of the new phase and the effect of annealing on the state of the new phase are examined.