Martensite

Martensite is a metastable phase formed when austenite is cooled so rapidly (quenched) that carbon atoms do not have time to diffuse out of the crystal structure. This results in a highly strained, Body-Centered Tetragonal (BCT) lattice. Martensite is incredibly hard but also very brittle. In tempering, we reheat this martensite to "soften" it into tempered martensite, achieving the perfect balance of strength and toughness for structural components.