What happens to metals at extremely high temperatures due to scale?

At extremely high temperatures, metals can undergo significant changes in their physical and mechanical properties due to the formation of scale, which is essentially a layer of oxide that forms on the metal surface in the presence of high temperatures and oxygen. This scale can affect the structural integrity of the metal.

When metals reach these elevated temperatures, the scales can become brittle and lead to a reduction in the overall strength of the metal. As the scale thickens, it may detach from the surface, which can expose the underlying metal and create points of weakness. The loss of strength can lead to catastrophic failures, especially in applications where the metal is subjected to stress or load.

In contrast, while one might think of cooling down, enhancing conductivity, or increasing strength at high temperatures, these phenomena do not generally apply under conditions where scale formation and high thermal stresses are present. Therefore, the most accurate understanding is that metals can lose strength and potentially fail when subjected to extreme heat and associated scale development.