hydrogen embrittlement

/ ɪmˈbrɪtəlmənt /

noun

1. engineering the weakening of metal by the sorption of hydrogen during a pickling process, such as that used in plating

Example Sentences

The presentation suggests that the bolts failed because of so-called hydrogen embrittlement — the same problem that plagued the San Francisco Bay Bridge in California, and which had to be repaired at great expense.

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An outside engineering firm, Alta Vista, completed a study in late 2017; the report, obtained by The Times, concluded there was “compelling evidence” that hydrogen embrittlement “is not a cause of the observed bolt failures.”

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