What does embrittling mean?
Embrittling refers to the process of causing something to become brittle or prone to breaking, often due to a change in its composition or structure. This can occur through various means, such as high heat treatment, prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, or other environmental factors. Embrittling is often used in technical contexts, such as materials science or engineering, to describe the process of making a material more susceptible to cracking or breaking. However, it can also be used in more general contexts to describe a loss of strength or resilience. The term is often used interchangeably with other words, such as weaken or debilitate, but it specifically refers to the process of making something more brittle or prone to breaking. Embrittling is an important concept in various fields, including materials science, engineering, and manufacturing, as it can have significant implications for the strength and durability of materials.
verbTo cause something to become brittle or prone to breaking, often due to a change in its composition or structure.
- To cause something to become brittle or prone to breaking
"The high heat treatment embrittled the metal, making it more susceptible to cracking."
"The high heat treatment embrittled the metal, making it more susceptible to cracking."
"Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can embrittle certain types of plastics."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of embrittling
The word embrittling is derived from the verb embrittle, which is itself derived from the adjective brittle. The term brittle comes from the Old English word bryttel, meaning 'to break' or 'to shatter'. The verb embrittling has been in use since the mid-19th century, initially in technical contexts, and has since expanded to more general usage.
How embrittling is actually used
Embrittling is often used in technical contexts, such as materials science or engineering, to describe the process of making a material more prone to breaking. It can also be used in more general contexts to describe a loss of strength or resilience.