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

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

From Science Daily • Jan. 1, 2026

Extreme embrittlement could result in reactors having to reduce power production or shut down all together.

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive