Which material is known to crack under rapid cooling conditions?

Brick is known to crack under rapid cooling conditions due to its porous structure and the way it is fired during manufacturing. When brick is heated, the water within its structure evaporates, and the material expands. If brick is then subjected to sudden cooling, such as from a fire being extinguished or exposure to cold water, it can contract rapidly. This quick change in temperature can create stress within the material, leading to cracking or spalling. Additionally, the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the surface of the brick and its interior can exacerbate this problem.

In contrast, while cast iron, steel, and cement may have their own vulnerabilities, they do not generally exhibit the same susceptibility to cracking from rapid cooling as brick does. Cast iron and steel can be more resilient to thermal shock, partly due to their ductility and toughness. Cement, while it can have issues with cracking due to other factors like shrinkage or improper curing, is not specifically known for cracking under rapid cooling in the same context as brick.