Pearlite

A phase in the iron-carbon system consisting of alternate plates of ferrite and cementite.

It is the product of the eutectoid transformation of austenite as it cools down below 723ºC and contains 0.8% carbon.

It was called pearlite owing to its mother of pearl (pearlescent) appearance when viewed under a microscope.

A phase in the iron-carbon system consisting of alternate plates of ferrite and cementite.

It is the product of the eutectoid transformation of austenite as it cools down below 723ºC and contains 0.8% carbon.

It was called pearlite owing to its mother of pearl (pearlescent) appearance when viewed under a microscope.