Question

What is meant by caustic embrittlement?

(a) Decrease in compressive strength due to caustic accumulation

(b) The phenomenon of metal to become brittle due to caustic accumulation at the rivets

(c) Entrapment of caustic content between atoms to cause brittleness

(d) The phenomenon of metal to become more tensile due to caustic accumulation

The question was posed to me during an interview.

This intriguing question comes from Environments in division Other Environments of Corrosion Engineering

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) The phenomenon of metal to become brittle due to caustic accumulation at the rivets

Easy explanation: Caustic embrittlement is the phenomenon of metal to become brittle due to caustic accumulation at the rivets. The cold working of rivets is the main reason for caustic embrittlement.