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.

From New York Times

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.”

From New York Times