Background
A small fragment with a ‘black’ side and a red side was found 1,000 feet southeast of the main Roswell 1947 crash debris field. There is nothing manmade, not even a road, for at least ½ mile in every direction from where the fragment was found. Previous SEM-EDS analysis was submitted with this sample. Detected were Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Fe and Ti. Ti was only detected on the red side of the sample. The object is to determine the composition of the fragment.
Conclusions
- The sample is covered with typical environmental debris. It is a non-homogeneous mix of primarily clay mineral (montmorillonite/smectite like), quartz mineral (sand), calcite (calcium carbonate), protein derived material (mold, bacteria and/or animal origin) and possibly plant derived products.
- The elemental analysis of Al, Si, Mg, Ca and Fe reported above are typical of elements found in dirt/soil.1 Ti is sometimes found in dirt, but it can also be from a paint additive.
- The fragment is very brittle and composed of mostly an epoxy resin ester based on bisphenol-A with a quartz filler. It has red paint which is a polyacrylate/styrene copolymer with a kaolinite-like filler. There may be another coating under the red paint composed of an alkyd resin and calcite filler. Additionally, on the ‘black’ side, olivine is on the surface. The olivine could be part of the fragment, though an environmental debris source cannot be ruled out. Materials like these are used as insulating components for the electrical and electronic industries, for aircraft and automobile components, machinery and chemical apparatus.
- Bubbles observed in the resin show the fragment has been exposed to heat. It is not known whether or not this occurred as part of a manufacturing process.
- There is a small amount of protein-type material in the resin. This may indicate mold/bacteria have established a presence on/in the fragment.
The Analysis
This post was published on February 1, 2017