Which risk was historically increased in bronze socketed axe heads during repeated heavy impacts on wood?

💡 Explanation

During repeated impacts, the crystal structure of the bronze undergoes plastic deformation, causing work hardening because dislocations accumulate, leading to increased brittleness and eventual fracture. Therefore fracture initiation increases, rather than annealing, oxidation, or elastic deformation, which require thermal input, reactive environment, or lower stress, respectively.

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