These two constituents form a eutectoid structure known as pearlite when the steel is cooled slowly enough to reach equilibrium, but by rapid cooling the steel is hardened. 當鋼材冷卻得足夠緩慢而達到平衡狀態(tài)時(shí),這兩種結構會(huì )形成一種共析結構,稱(chēng)為珠光體,但如果快速冷卻,鋼材將被硬化。