Question

What is meant by caustic embrittlement of steel?

(a) Failure of cold-worked rivets by a brittle fracture in the presence of ammonia

(b) Failure of cold-worked rivets by a brittle fracture in the presence of caustic soda

(c) Failure of cold-worked rivets by a brittle fracture in the presence of caustic soda and ammonia

(d) Failure of cold-worked rivets by the cup and cone fracture in the presence of caustic soda

This question was addressed to me in final exam.

My question comes from Eight Forms topic in portion Eight Forms of Corrosion of Corrosion Engineering

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) Failure of cold-worked rivets by a brittle fracture in the presence of caustic soda

Easiest explanation: Explosions of riveted boilers that occurred in early steam-driven locomotives are due to the cold working during the operation. Hence, brittle fracture in the presence of caustic resulted in caustic embrittlement.