martensite

[mahr-tn-zahyt]

noun

Metallurgy.

1. a metastable microconstituent of any of various forms of carbon steel, produced by undercooling sufficiently below the normal transformation temperature, especially a hard, brittle product of the decomposition of austenite, produced in this way.

martensite

/ ˌmɑːtɪnˈzɪtɪk, ˈmɑːtɪnˌzaɪt /

noun

1. a constituent formed in steels by rapid quenching, consisting of a supersaturated solid solution of carbon in iron. It is formed by the breakdown of austenite when the rate of cooling is large enough to prevent pearlite forming

Other Word Forms

• martensitic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of martensite¹

1895–1900; named after Adolf Martens (died 1914), German metallurgist; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of martensite¹

C20: named after Adolf Martens (died 1914), German metallurgist

Example Sentences

The transformation means that martensite can be used in smart mechanisms that respond to temperature change.

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This structure is called martensite and is desired when maximum hardness is essential.

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He is then able to pick out its component minerals, ferrite, austenite, martensite, pearlite, graphite, cementite, and to show how their abundance, shape and arrangement contribute to the strength or weakness of the specimen.

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When cooled rapidly, however, as in the tempering of steel, martensite remains a homogeneous solid solution, or hard steel.

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Called a "martensite", the crystal has two different arrangements of atoms, switching seamlessly between them.

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