Term: martensitic transition
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03708

Definition:
A diffusionless transition (first studied in the steel alloy, Martensite), at constant composition, generated by coordinated atomic, ionic or molecular displacements over distances smaller than interatomic distances in the parent phase. The cooperative rearrangements of the crystal structure generally take place progressively by the movement of a two-dimensional interface through the solid. Examples: The face-centred-cubic to body-centred-tetragonal transition of iron containing some carbon; the transition of tetragonal ZrO2 to monoclinic ZrO2.

Related Terms:
1) diffusionless transition (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01728).
2) interface (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03082).

Source: PAC, 1994, 66, 577. 'Definitions of terms relating to phase transitions of the solid state (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 585 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466030577)

Citation: 'martensitic transition' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03708

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