ijzercarbiden
Ijzercarbiden, or cementite, is an iron carbide with the chemical formula Fe3C. It is an intermetallic compound that occurs in steels and cast irons and is known for its hardness and brittleness. Cementite is a key phase in the iron–carbon system and influences the properties of many steel microstructures.
The composition of Fe3C contains about 6.67% carbon by weight. Its crystal structure is orthorhombic, and it
In the Fe–C phase diagram, cementite coexists with austenite or ferrite. During the eutectoid transformation at
Cementite's mechanical role is significant: it is among the hardest phases found in steel, increasing hardness
Overall, cementite is a fundamental phase in metallurgy for understanding steel and cast iron microstructures. Its