metal fatigue
metal fatigue — noun
1. the gradual weakening of metal caused by small, repeated forces over a long peri
the gradual weakening of metal caused by small, repeated forces over a long period, which can eventually create small cracks or cause the metal to break.
The bridge was closed after inspectors found metal fatigue in the steel support beams.
passive: be closed after [agent] found metal fatigue in [part]
Years of vibration from heavy traffic had caused metal fatigue in the railway tracks.
cause-and-effect: vibration / heavy traffic → metal fatigue
Regular X-ray checks can detect metal fatigue in aircraft engine parts before a crack forms.
The maintenance team replaced the crane cable after tests showed signs of metal fatigue.
Metal fatigue in the pipeline was discovered during a routine pressure test.
- material fatigue
broader term that includes fatigue in non-metal materials such as plastic or concrete
- stress fatigue
emphasises the role of mechanical stress as the cause
用法筆記
Almost always used as an uncountable noun. Frequently appears with verbs like 'detect', 'show', 'cause', or 'prevent'. Common in engineering and safety inspection contexts.