What is a characteristic of bainite in steel?

Bainite is a microstructural phase that forms in steel during the cooling process after it has been austenitized. It specifically forms in the temperature range between that of martensite (which forms at lower temperatures from rapid quenching) and pearlite (which forms at higher temperatures from slower cooling).

The formation of bainite occurs when steel is cooled at intermediate rates, which allows some diffusion and prevents the formation of martensite's hard but brittle structure. This intermediate cooling leads to a microstructure that includes a mixture of fine ferrite and cementite, which provides a good balance of strength and ductility.

Understanding the temperature range in which bainite forms is crucial for applications where specific mechanical properties are required. The mechanical properties of bainite make it advantageous in certain steel applications where a combination of toughness and strength is needed, unlike the definitions stated in other potential answers that refer to the exclusivity of ferrite or durability comparisons.