A microstructural aggregate or a mechanical mixture of ferrite and cementite (iron carbide) platelets which normally occurs in steel and cast iron. This lamellar structure can be observed only through a metallographic microscope because the platelets are very
thin, on the order of 0.001 mm (0.00004 in.).
Pearlite was given its name by H. M. Howe because its lamellar appearance resembles mother-of-pearl. See METALLOGRAPHY.