Which primary risk increased in early steam engines due to the use of cast iron boilers?

💡 Explanation

When early steam engines used cast iron boilers, tensile strength limitations were exposed because cast iron is brittle compared to later steel, leading to catastrophic boiler ruptures under pressure. Therefore, boiler rupture was a greater risk, rather than piston, cylinder, or valve failures requiring different stress and wear mechanisms.

• Which effect commonly restricted the maximum height of Inca terrace farming systems?
• Which risk increased when Mesopotamian smiths quenched arsenic bronze blades improperly?
• Which outcome resulted from exceeding the compressive strength limit in Roman concrete arch construction?
• Which navigational risk increased aboard 18th-century ships when chronometer escapement mechanisms suffered temperature-induced dimensional changes?
• Which risk increased within ancient Mesopotamian irrigation systems due to repeated cycles of arid weather and increased diversion?
• Which structural weakness frequently undermined Roman siege ramp ("agger") construction against fortified cities?