First it is heated to create a solid solution of iron and carbon in a process called

austenizing. Austenizing is followed by quenching to produce a martensitic

microstructure. The steel is then tempered by heating between the ranges of 150°C-260°C
(300°F-500°F) and 370°C-650°C (700°F-1200°F). Tempering in the range of 260°C-
370°C (500°F-700°F) is sometimes avoided to reduce temper brittling. The steel is held
at that temperature until the carbon trapped in the martensite diffuses to produce a
chemical composition with the potential to create either bainite or pearlite (a crystal
structure formed from a mixture of ferrite and cementite). It should be noted that when
producing a truly bainitic or pearlitic steel the steel must be once again taken up to the
austenite region (austenizing) and cooled slowly to a controlled temperature before being
fully quenched to a low temperature. In bainitic steels, upper bainite or lower bainite may
form depending on the length and temperature of the tempering process. It is
thermodynamically impossible that the martensite will be totally converted during
tempering, so a mixture of martensite, bainite, ferrite and cementite is often formed.