Definition

A type of structure found in certain steels, made up of layers of two different materials, which helps to improve the strength and hardness of the metal.

Example

The steel's strength was enhanced by the presence of pearlite in its structure.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of pearlite in steelmaking?

Yeah, I think it has something to do with the structure of the metal, right?

Exactly! It's that mixture of ferrite and cementite that forms layers.

That sounds interesting! I’d love to learn more about how it affects strength.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pearlite is derived from the word 'pearl' (from Old French *perle*, meaning a precious gem formed within a mollusk) and the suffix '-ite' (used in mineralogy to denote a type of mineral or rock). The term 'pearlite' refers to a specific microstructure in steel that resembles the appearance of pearls.

Memory Tip

Think of 'pearl' as a precious gem and remember that 'pearlite' describes a mineral structure that looks like pearls.

Visually Confused Words