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Glite Dictionary
cementite

cementite

9.9
A hard, brittle substance of iron and carbon in steel and cast iron that makes them break more easily
  • noun
  • /sɪˈmɛntaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cementita
  • The cementite phase is critical for achieving desired mechanical properties.

Examples

  • In metallurgy, understanding the distribution of cementite is crucial for controlling the properties of steel.

  • The high carbon content caused the formation of cementite, which made the blade extremely hard but also brittle.

  • At lower cooling rates, cementite forms lamellae within pearlite structures.

  • Researchers discovered that cementites can improve the durability of cast iron.

  • In steel, cementite plays a significant role in determining the material's strength and hardness.

  • The hardness of the metal can be attributed to the presence of cementite as a constituent.

  • To improve its durability, the engineers ensured that the steel contained enough cementite for optimal performance.

Synonyms

iron carbide
vscementite
  • Specialized
7.2

A hard, brittle substance found in steel and cast iron

emphasizes that this compound increases strength and hardness in those metals

Surface Forms

cementite singular
cementites plural

Morphology

cementite = cement (opaque) = cement + ite

Although formed from the recognizable elements 'cement' + '-ite', the technical chemical meaning (iron carbide) is not predictable from the everyday word 'cement'.

Etymology

Cementite comes from the same root as cement, from a Latin word meaning 'to join' or 'make solid'. That's why cementite in steel acts like a hard 'cement' between iron and carbon, making the metal very hard but also easy to break.