1. Plural of cementite; iron carbide compounds (Fe₃C) that form in steel and cast iron, contributing to hardness and brittleness.
Usage: metallurgy; materials science; technical term

Examples

• The microstructure of the steel contained cementites distributed throughout the ferrite matrix.
• Cementites form when carbon combines with iron during the cooling of steel.
• The presence of cementites increases the hardness of the alloy.
• Engineers study cementites to understand the properties of different steel grades.
• Heat treatment can dissolve cementites and change the mechanical properties of the material.