Austenite

Non-magnetic face-centered cubic iron. Also iron and steel alloys that have the face-centered cubic crystal structure.

It is produced by heating steel above the upper critical temperature and has a high solid solubility for carbon and alloying elements. This temperature or temperature range is called the austenitizing temperature and must be attained to obtain the proper microstructure and full hardness of steel in heat treating. The austenitizing temperature varies for the different grades of carbon, alloy and tool steels.

See also: Bainite, Face Centred Cubic, Iron.