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Reference.org
Pearlite
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<p>Pearlite is a <a href="/facts/Phase_(matter)/NkHXDdN3">two-phased</a>, <a href="/facts/Lamellar_structure/esvkPy5o">lamellar</a> (or layered) structure composed of alternating layers of <a href="/facts/Ferrite_(iron)/deRQ3dBM">ferrite</a> (87.5 wt%) and <a href="/facts/Cementite/BvMdo027">cementite</a> (12.5 wt%) that occurs in some <a href="/facts/Steel/aN6qWo4H">steels</a> and <a href="/facts/Cast_iron/lASt55k2">cast irons</a>. During slow cooling of an iron-carbon alloy, pearlite forms by a <a href="/facts/Eutectoid/UFbecnqo">eutectoid</a> reaction as <a href="/facts/Austenite/Fzp52xYc">austenite</a> cools below 723 °C (1,333 °F) (the eutectoid temperature). Pearlite is a microstructure occurring in many common grades of steels. </p>