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Glite Dictionary
alpha iron

alpha iron

8.1
A form of iron that is magnetic and stable below 906°C
  • noun
  • /ˈælfə ˈaɪərn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hierro alfa
  • At room temperature, pure iron exists as alpha iron with a body-centered cubic structure.

Examples

  • The magnetic properties of alpha iron make it important in the production of electrical steels.

  • At room temperature, pure iron exists as alpha iron, which has a body-centered cubic structure.

  • The transformation from alpha iron to gamma iron occurs at 906°C.

  • The alpha iron phase is crucial for steel production.

  • Did you know that alpha iron is stable below 906°C?

  • The magnetic properties of alpha iron are essential in the manufacture of electrical steels.

  • The transition from alpha iron to gamma iron is observed when the temperature exceeds 906°C.

Synonyms

ferrite
vsalpha iron
  • Specialized
1 8.9

A soft magnetic form of iron found in steel and other metals

is the same magnetic form but limited to the phase stable below 906 C
alpha-Fe
vsalpha iron
  • Specialized
9.1

A magnetic form of iron that exists at normal temperatures

has identical meaning and serves as the headword form in this entry
alpha-ferrite
vsalpha iron
  • Specialized
8.4

A magnetic form of iron that appears in steel below 906°C

is defined as that same magnetic form, stated as the main concept here

Surface Forms

alpha iron singular
alpha irons plural

Morphology

alpha + iron

The element 'iron' is transparent but 'alpha' here is a technical phase label; a B1 learner who knows 'alpha' only as the Greek letter or 'first' might infer this refers to a particular form of iron, but would not predict the specific metallurgical properties (magnetic form, stability below 906°C). Because the compound signals a recognizable relation to 'iron' but requires specialized knowledge to recover the full meaning, it is partially but not fully transparent.

Etymology

Alpha iron gets its name from a simple lab habit: scientists used Greek letters to label different forms of iron, so alpha meant the first form and iron is the metal. That first form is the magnetic one that stays stable 'below 906°C', so alpha iron today means the low-temperature, magnetic form of iron.