Embrittlement is a form of intercrystalline cracking that is associated with the exposure of boiler steel to a combination of physical and chemical factors. For embrittlement of boiler metal to occur, the metal must be under stress, it must be at the site of a leak, and it must be exposed to the concentrated boiler water. In addition, the boiler water must be embrittling in nature. The precise chemical causes of the embrittling nature of some waters are not well understood. Experience has shown that certain waters exhibit an embrittling characteristic while others do not.