inoculant
(ɪˈnɒkjʊlənt)
[f. inoculate v. + -ant1.]
A substance suitable for use in inoculation; spec. in Metallurgy, a substance with which molten metal is inoculated.
| 1911 Experiment Station Rec. XLVII. iii. 234 State laws concerning the sale of seeds and legume inoculants. 1944 Jrnl. Iron & Steel Inst. CL. 144A The second purpose was to measure the effect of increasing-percentages of steel and varying amounts of inoculants. 1960 Ibid. CXCV. 222/1 The use of graphitizing inoculants, usually based on silicides, is described. 1962 A. G. Guy Physical Metall. for Engineers v. 149 Typical inoculants are ferrosilicon and calcium-silicon, very small amounts of which are effective in reducing flake size. |