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What is Pearlite?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Pearlite is an iron alloy that's is characterized by the formation of distinct bands of ferrite and cementite. It contains around 88% ferrite and 12% cementite. It only forms under specialized conditions which must be controlled to create it rather than another one. Pearlite is known for being tough, thanks to the way in which it forms, and it may be used in a variety of applications.

The formation process of pearlite involves the creation of a euctetic mixture. In a euctectic mixture, two molten materials crystallize at the same time. This creates the distinctive banding associated with pearlite and also adds to the strength of the metal. In order for a euctetic mixture to form, the components of the alloy must appear in the right balance. Pearlite also requires slow cooling. If the mixture cools rapidly, it can transition into bainite, a different iron alloy phase which is slightly harder.

Under a microscope, pearlite resembles mother of pearl.
Under a microscope, pearlite resembles mother of pearl.

People can identify pearlite by studying the structure of the alloy. Especially under a microscope, it has a very distinctive appearance created by the lamellar bands. Pearlite is around the middle of the chart in terms of strength when compared to other iron alloys. People who work with iron and steel need to know about the different phases and the factors which can influence iron alloy formation to understand the materials they are working with, and how those materials can be applied.

The term “pearlite” is a reference to the material's appearance under the microscope. It resembles mother of pearl, a natural lamellar structure seen among some shellfish. Mother of pearl is created through the natural deposition of successive layers, rather than as the result of special treatment of a euctectic mixture, but it shares the trait of hardness and strength created by the layers of material.

Steel may sometimes be advertised as “pearlite-free.” This type of steel tends to be less prone to cracking and metal fatigue, which makes it popular for certain types of applications. Brittle fracture of steel is a concern in some situations and pearlite-free steel may be preferred in these cases. Its level can also be adjusted to meet varying needs, and the properties of the steel can also be influenced by the use of different alloy materials, depending on how and where the steel is going to be used.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a InfoBloom researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a InfoBloom researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon347440

Does the pearlite formation process involve eutectic reaction but it's not a eutectoid? Because, if I'm not mistaken, pearlite is formed under the eutectoid line on the Fe3C diagram.

anon159367

@CarrotIsland - they are different. Pearlite is a two stage structure that occurs in the alloying of steel and perlite is amorphous volcanic glass.

anon113976

perlite is a variation of volcanic glass, pearlite is a microcompositional state of various iron alloys.

chrisinbama

@carrotisland: I think that it is but I'm not 100% sure. I looked it up and one of the websites that I found said that it was the same thing but had two spellings.

However, when I looked up definitions for both words, they seemed somewhat different.

CarrotIsland

Is pearlite the same as perlite?

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    • Under a microscope, pearlite resembles mother of pearl.
      By: micromonkey
      Under a microscope, pearlite resembles mother of pearl.