alpha iron

noun

, Metallurgy.

1. the magnetic allotrope of iron, stable below 910°C and having a body-centered cubic space lattice.

alpha iron

noun

1. a magnetic allotrope of iron that is stable below 910°C; ferrite

Word History and Origins

Origin of alpha iron¹

First recorded in 1880–90

Example Sentences

It seems that the soft, magnetic metal so familiar as wrought iron, and called "alpha iron" or "ferrite" by the metallurgist, becomes unstable at about 1,400°F. and changes into the so-called "beta" modification, becoming suddenly harder, and losing its magnetism.

From Project Gutenberg