What Does
Temper Embrittlement Mean?
Temper embrittlement refers to a reduction in the notch toughness of a metal. It is typically accompanied by an increase in ductility temperature to be equivalent to the surrounding ambient temperature. Temper embrittlement is a source of corrosion and metal failure.
Corrosionpedia Explains Temper Embrittlement
Temper embrittlement is due to an intergranular destruction along the austenitic grain boundary of a material on the molecular level. It occurs only due to the presence of or contact with specific elemental impurities. Certain elements such as tin, antimony, phosphorous and arsenic are more likely to cause grain boundary deterioration when in contact with steel and other metals.