What is "cementite"

n. (context inorganic compound English) A form of iron carbide, Fe₃C, that is a component of steel

n. the iron carbide constituent of steel and cast iron; very hard and brittle [syn: iron carbide]

Cementite, also known as iron carbide, is an intermetallic compound of iron and carbon, more precisely an intermediate transition metal carbide with the formula FeC. By weight, it is 6.67% carbon and 93.3% iron. It has an orthorhombic crystal structure. It is a hard, brittle material, normally classified as a ceramic in its pure form, though it is more important in ferrous metallurgy. While iron carbide is present in most steels and cast irons, it is produced as a raw material in the Iron Carbide process, which belongs to the family of alternative ironmaking technologies