pearlite

[ pur-lahyt ]

noun

1. Metallurgy. a microscopic lamellar structure found in iron or steel, composed of alternating layers of ferrite and cementite.
2. Petrography. perlite.

pearlite

/ pɜːˈlɪtɪk; ˈpɜːlaɪt /

noun

1. the lamellar structure in carbon steels and some cast irons that consists of alternate plates of pure iron and iron carbide
2. See perlite
   a variant spelling of perlite

Derived Forms

• pearlitic, adjective

Other Words From

• pearl·it·ic [pur-, lit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pearlite¹

First recorded in 1885–90; pearl + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Several other ingredients of importance, as pearlite, illustrated on the opposite page, have also been studied.

From Project Gutenberg

The magnification is too small to show the zebra striping of the pearlite.

From Project Gutenberg

Below the temperature of the point F the martensite becomes heterogeneous, and forms pearlite.

From Project Gutenberg

The iron thus liberated, as the ferrite of this pearlite, changes simultaneously to α-ferrite.

From Project Gutenberg