← Glossary

Ledeburitic microstructure

The ledeburitic microstructure is a heterogeneous eutectic constituent consisting of austenite or its transformation products and hard cementite, which is characteristic of white cast iron. It imparts high wear resistance to the material, though accompanied by pronounced brittleness.

Ledeburite is a very hard and brittle structure that you mainly find in white cast iron. When welding, the material is critical: it cannot tolerate rapid cooling, otherwise it will crack immediately. You must let the weld zone cool slowly, ideally by preheating and slowly reducing the temperature. If you don't do this, you'll get hard, crack-prone zones that you can't machine afterwards.

MetallurgieSchweißtechnik

AI Transparency (EU AI Act): Created on the basis of our own many years of practical experience in welding technology, with the help of AI, and reviewed editorially.

© 2026 Welder-World. All content is for training and continuing education and does not replace a certified welding procedure specification.