What is a brittle material with a high carbon content that may easily fail under fire conditions?

Cast iron is a brittle material characterized by its high carbon content, which contributes to its unique properties. Under fire conditions, cast iron can suffer from thermal stress and rapid temperature changes, leading to failure. When exposed to extreme heat, the brittleness is exacerbated, as it does not have the ductility that allows it to deform under stress. Unlike some other materials, cast iron does not respond well to fluctuating temperatures, making it vulnerable in fire scenarios. This makes it important for firefighters and building inspectors to recognize the limitations of cast iron in construction, especially in structures subject to high heat or fire.

Steel, while it can lose strength in high temperatures, is not classified as brittle and tends to deform rather than fail catastrophically. Concrete is generally robust under fire conditions, although it can spall or crack, but it is not classified as brittle in the same way. Aluminum has different properties and generally has a lower melting point, making it less relevant in the context of brittleness under fire conditions compared to cast iron.