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How is martensite formed?

  1. By heating steel to a high temperature

  2. Through rapid cooling of austenite

  3. By slow cooling of carbon steel

  4. Via annealing processes

The correct answer is: Through rapid cooling of austenite

Martensite is formed through the rapid cooling of austenite, a phase of steel that is stable at high temperatures. When steel is heated above its critical temperature, it transforms into austenite, which has a face-centered cubic structure. To form martensite, this austenitic steel must be cooled rapidly, typically by quenching in water or oil. The rapid cooling prevents the carbon atoms from diffusing out of the austenite, resulting in a body-centered tetragonal structure, which is harder and stronger than the original austenite. This process is crucial in heat treatment for achieving desired mechanical properties in steel, making it an essential concept in materials science and engineering.