Brittling: meaning, definitions and examples

Materials Science

• Brittling often occurs in materials exposed to extreme temperatures or stress, making them more likely to crack.
• Certain plastics can brittling when exposed to sunlight over time, affecting their use in everyday items.

Construction and Engineering

• When designers assess materials for buildings, they must check for brittleness to ensure safety and durability.
• Brittling can lead to unexpected failures in structures, highlighting the importance of material selection.

Environmental Impact

• Brittling can be accelerated by environmental factors like moisture and pollutants, affecting the longevity of materials.
• In the context of recycling, brittling can limit how many times a material can be reused effectively.

Health and Safety

• Certain metal tools can become brittle due to repetitive stress and may not work safely if not maintained properly.
• Brittling in medical devices can lead to failures, emphasizing the need for rigorous testing.

Literature and Language

• The term 'brittling' evokes the imagery of delicate glass or porcelain, symbolizing fragility in narratives and poetry.
• In literature, a character described as 'brittle' might suggest that they are emotionally fragile or easily broken.