thermal shock

noun

1. a fluctuation in temperature causing stress in a material. It often results in fracture, esp in brittle materials such as ceramics

Example Sentences

About 800 exotic fish died from thermal shock at an aquarium in Sevastopol as cold seawater flooded the facility, the Crimea 24 TV channel and RIA Novosti reported.

From Seattle Times

They don’t do well with the rapid and repeated thermal shock when you build a roaring fire on a cool or cold afternoon.

From Seattle Times

The Garmin Instinct Tactical fitness tracker has some specs to prove it, meeting military standard 810G for thermal, shock, and water resistance — meaning it’s designed to take a lot of punishment.

From The Verge

Garmin Instinct Tactical $200 $300 34% off Garmin’s Instinct Tactical is designed to meet military-spec standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance.

From The Verge

The thermal shock, especially on cold winter days and nights when the flue liner would be quite cold, most likely caused the tiles to crack.

From Washington Post