Embrittle (Verb)
Meaning
Make brittle.
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- Overexposure to heat can embrittle plastics and other synthetic materials, making them prone to cracking.
- The harsh winter conditions will embrittle the branches of trees, leaving them vulnerable to breakage.
- Prolonged storage in a dry environment can embrittle paint, causing it to flake off easily.
- The embrittling effects of the extreme temperature fluctuations weakened the structure's steel framework.
- Radiation exposure can embrittle the metal cladding of nuclear fuel rods, posing a significant safety risk.