snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Aug 14, 2009 20:01:16 GMT -5
I found these today scattered in the railroad tracks. First I thought hematite cause it is heavy, but no crystal structure, It looks like a molten flow, black with silvery sheen on it. Thanks for any info
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JEFFD
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2004
Posts: 242
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Post by JEFFD on Aug 14, 2009 20:39:49 GMT -5
I would guess slag, I'm not aware of any smelters in Texas. Could have been hauled in for ship ballast. Just my guess. jeffd
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Aug 14, 2009 21:05:55 GMT -5
It is definitely a type of rock in my opinion. Wherever the railroad hauled this in from,it was mixed in with a few granites, but the majority was a plain black stone. Is there a type of hematite that is black and not crystalline,and does not give off a red color?
snuffy
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Aug 14, 2009 22:36:49 GMT -5
Just checked it with a magnet,there is a faint attraction. Cut 2 slabs,got my 45c full and rolling, will see how it turns out.
snuffy
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2009 17:03:53 GMT -5
snuffy........had a few pieces of this brought home to me......came from toyota where they load new vehicles onto railcars. Was told it was slag.
Shan
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Aug 18, 2009 17:41:33 GMT -5
I know one thing about it. I think I wasted 8 tbs of course grit.
snuffy
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Aug 18, 2009 21:31:17 GMT -5
I'd say definately slag...I find that stuff out in the oilfields, around tracks, ect....It probably fell off a rail car or maybe they were working on the tracks in that area....
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Aug 21, 2009 21:59:27 GMT -5
I looked it up and slag is widely used on rr tracks as ballast. Thanks for the info.
snuffy
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