Definition of "pearlite" []

• A mixture of ferrite and cementite forming distinct layers or bands in slowly cooled carbon steels. (noun)
• Variant of perlite. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The name perlite (also spelled pearlite) comes from the French word perle which means pearl, in reference to the “pearly” luster of classic perlite."
• "The name perlite (also spelled pearlite) comes from the French word perle which means pearl, in reference to the "pearly" luster of classic perlite."
• "The cementite, although adding to the tensile strength, is very brittle and the strength of the pearlite is the combination of the ferrite and cementite."