MARTENSITE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A solid solution of carbon in alpha-iron that is formed when steel is cooled so rapidly that the change from austenite to pearlite is suppressed; responsible for the hardness of quenched steel

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("martensite" is a kind of...):

primary solid solution; solid solution (a homogeneous solid that can exist over a range of component chemicals; a constituent of alloys that is formed when atoms of an element are incorporated into the crystals of a metal)

Holonyms ("martensite" is a substance of...):

quenched steel (steel that has been hardened by immersing it in water or oil to cool it)

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