martensite

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɑːtɪnzʌɪt/

noun

[mass noun] Metallurgy
  • a hard and very brittle solid solution of carbon in iron that is the main constituent of hardened steel.

Derivatives

martensitic

adjective

Origin:

late 19th century: named after Adolf Martens (1850–1914), German metallurgist, + -ite1