Incoprea Theory
Vol. XXXI · 129

Theory 53/Cold slows everything

Cold Embrittles

The claim

Cooling slows diffusion but concentrates stress, so failure can occur sooner at lower temperature.

01Mechanism

Reduced plasticity removes the mechanism that redistributes stress.

02Prediction

Fracture should occur at lower load when cold.

03Refutation

Failure load rising monotonically with cold would remove the effect.