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Early tin food containers used by the French army were sealed with lead solder. Acidic foods reacted with the lead, causing lead poisoning, illness, and deaths among soldiers—highlighting poor material choice for food storage. -
The Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg because its iron rivets and steel hull became brittle in cold temperatures. The materials fractured instead of bending, allowing water to flood multiple compartments. -
The Challenger exploded shortly after launch due to rubber O-ring seals failing in cold weather. The material lost elasticity, allowing hot gases to escape and destroy the shuttle. -
Columbia disintegrated during re-entry after foam insulation struck and damaged the wing’s heat-resistant tiles during launch. The material damage allowed superheated gases to enter the wing structure.