6. Glossary

Steels

Ferrous alloys generally suitable for hot working with a carbon content equal to or less than 2%.

Alloy fer-carbone; iron-carbon alloy

A mixture of iron and carbon, which forms the basis of steels and cast irons.

Alloys; ferrous alloys

Metal alloys with an average iron content higher than that of any other alloying element.

Cementite; cementite

Iron carbide formed by the combination of one carbon atom and three iron atoms. It is very hard and gives steel great resistance to wear, but makes the material brittle.

Crystal defects

Imperfections in the crystalline structure of a material, such as vacancies, dislocations, or atoms in insertion or substitution, which...