martensiitsete

Martensiittiset refers to a phase transformation in steels and other alloys. It is a diffusionless transformation where the crystal structure changes rapidly. This transformation is named after German metallurgist Adolf Martens. When certain steels are heated and then rapidly cooled, a metastable phase called martensite is formed. This phase is characterized by a body-centered tetragonal (BCT) crystal structure. The rapid cooling prevents the normal diffusion-controlled transformations from occurring, trapping a supersaturated solution of carbon within the iron lattice. The resulting martensitic structure is very hard and brittle. The specific properties of martensite depend on the composition of the alloy and the cooling rate. Subsequent heat treatment, such as tempering, can be applied to martensite to reduce its brittleness and improve its toughness while retaining a significant portion of its hardness. This process is fundamental to hardening steel for various applications. The term "martensiittiset" directly translates to "martensitic" in English and describes something related to or possessing the characteristics of martensite.