Cadmium plated tools should NOT be used when performing maintenance on gas turbines because cadmium particles may become imbedded and cause embrittlement in materials made of _________.

Correct Answer: Option C — titanium

Cadmium is strictly prohibited for use on titanium components because cadmium particles can diffuse into the titanium lattice at high temperatures. This process causes liquid metal embrittlement, leading to catastrophic stress corrosion cracking and structural failure of critical engine parts under the extreme thermal loads of gas turbine operation.