what we call a stirring regime. The equilibration time is found to be independent of viscosity and surface tension and depends weakly on diffusivity. Equilibration is controlled by an efficient thermochemical stretching enhanced diffusion mechanism developing from the mean flow and entraining the surrounding silicate phase.'
title: 'Small-scale metal/silicate equilibration during core formation: the influence of stretching enhanced diffusion on mixing'
---

Stretching enhanced diffusion accelerates equilibration and mixing in stretched sheets and ligaments

Equilibration happens when the metal is stretched down to a scale (a modified Batchelor scale) smaller than $\sim 5$ cm

Impactors’ cores are vigorously stretched and convoluted in a stirring regime

Introduction {#sec:introduction}
============

The initial conditions of the Earth and other terrestrial planets of the Solar System are inherited from their concomitant accretion and differentiation. Terrestrial planets differentiate into an iron core and a silicate mantle, inducing chemical fractionation and heat partitioning between the metal phase migrating toward the core and the surrounding silicate phase [@rubie_2015]. The partitioning of heat provided by the impacts and the reduction of the potential gravitational energy sets the initial conditions of the temperature contrast between the core and the mantle [@rubie_2015]. This is crucial for the early thermal and 