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

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

In the context of type 2 diabetes, these mechanisms are compromised, resulting in collagen embrittlement.

From Science Daily • Feb. 13, 2024

One of the most challenging areas involves embrittlement of metal in reactor pressure vessels that are bombarded by neutrons during the fission process.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 1, 2021

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

This so-called reactor embrittlement is potentially the most dangerous problem faced by aging atomic plants, because a crack in these walls could expose the highly radioactive reactor core.

From Time Magazine Archive