martensite

noun mar·tens·ite \ˈmär-t^ən-ˌzīt\

Definition of MARTENSITE

: the hard constituent that is the chief component of quenched steel

— mar·tens·it·ic \ˌmar-t^ən-ˈzi-tik, -ˈsi-\ adjective

— mar·tens·it·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Adolf Martens †1914 German metallurgist

First Known Use: 1898

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