Which metallurgical consequence occurred when Assyrian smiths quenched high-carbon steel too rapidly using river water?

💡 Explanation

When high-carbon steel is quenched rapidly, a diffusionless transformation occurs, forming martensite due to the carbon atoms being trapped which creates extreme hardness and brittleness. Therefore, martensite formation and brittleness results, rather than cementite precipitation, austenite retention, or ferrite growth, which require slower cooling or different compositions.

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