beta iron

American  

noun

Metallurgy.

1. an allotrope of iron, stable between 768°C and 910°C, similar to alpha iron but nonmagnetic.

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beta iron British  

noun

1. a nonmagnetic allotrope of pure iron stable between 770°C and 910°C

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Etymology

Origin of beta iron

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Martensite is usually considered to be a solid solution of cementite in beta iron.

From The Working of Steel Annealing, Heat Treating and Hardening of Carbon and Alloy Steel by Colvin, Fred H. (Fred Herbert)

A quickly quenched carbon steel is mostly martensitic which, as noted, is a solid solution of beta iron and Page 113 cementite, hard and brittle.

From The Working of Steel Annealing, Heat Treating and Hardening of Carbon and Alloy Steel by Colvin, Fred H. (Fred Herbert)