pearlite
9.9
Layers of softer iron and harder iron compound inside steel or cast iron that form when metal cools slowly
- noun
- /ˈpɜrˌlaɪt/
- Specialized
:
perlita
- Both the steels exhibited identical microstructures of tempered martensite at the outer rim and pearlite ferrite at the core.
Examples
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The steel had a pearlite microstructure, which enhanced its strength and toughness.
-
Researchers observed the formation of pearlite layers during the cooling of austenite in the steel.
-
In metallography, pearlite is identified as a critical microstructure for improving the hardness of cast iron.
Compounds
globular pearlite
- Specialized
9.9
Small round hard parts in steel or iron that form when the metal cools very slowly
granular pearlite
- Specialized
9.8
A structure in steel where hard pieces form small round groups instead of layers from very slow cooling
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Pearlite comes from the simple word pearl and the mineral ending -ite, because its tiny, shiny bands under a microscope look like 'mother-of-pearl'. That's why pearlite now names the thin, repeating layers in steel that help make it strong.
