Question 4506 Deck General

The correct answer is A) fatigue. Anchor chains are subjected to cyclic loading and unloading as the vessel moves up and down with the waves. This repeated stress and strain on the chain links can eventually lead to metal fatigue, where the chain material gradually weakens and becomes more susceptible to breaking. Corrosion, abrasion, and distortion can also contribute to chain failure, but fatigue is the primary mechanism that causes an anchor chain to break due to extended cyclical variations in tensions. The other answer choices are incorrect because: B) Corrosion is a gradual process that affects the chain material over time, but is not the primary cause of failure due to cyclic loading. C) Abrasion can wear down the chain links, but is not the direct cause of the chain breaking under cyclic tension. D) Distortion may occur, but is not the fundamental mechanism that leads to the chain's failure.