embrittlement

American  

[em-brit-l-muhnt] / ɛmˈbrɪt l mənt /

noun

1. the act or process of becoming brittle, as steel from exposure to certain environments or heat treatment or because of the presence of impurities.

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Etymology

Origin of embrittlement

First recorded in 1915–20; embrittle + -ment

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

embrittlement

"That indicates the mechanism changed from dehydration embrittlement to thermal runaway."

From Science Daily ● Jan. 1, 2026

Earthquakes at intermediate depths, including the Calama event, were long believed to be triggered mainly by a process known as "dehydration embrittlement."

From Science Daily ● Jan. 1, 2026

They also argued that the steel wall in Unit 1 might be deteriorating from sustained exposure to radiation and is becoming susceptible to cracking, a condition technically known as embrittlement.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 9, 2023

In addition to its well-known health and environmental effects, mercury also damages industrial facilities through corrosion, such as embrittlement of aluminium heat exchangers, and it poisons catalysts.

From Newsweek

After that sleeve was brazed on, somebody should have studied the metallurgy, stresses and embrittlement, fatigue and all that.

From Time Magazine Archive