adjective
- of, relating to, or containing martensite; describing a hard, brittle microstructure formed in steel and other alloys by rapid cooling
Usage: technical; metallurgy
Examples
- The martensitic structure of the steel made it extremely hard but also brittle.
- Engineers selected a martensitic stainless steel for its corrosion resistance and strength.
- Rapid quenching produces a martensitic phase in the metal.
- The martensitic transformation occurs when the alloy is cooled below a critical temperature.
- This tool steel exhibits martensitic properties that make it ideal for cutting applications.