Which constraint limited the practical longevity of brass astrolabes in maritime navigation before corrosion-resistant alloys became available?

💡 Explanation

When brass astrolabes were exposed to saltwater, galvanic corrosion occurred because the electrochemical potential difference between the brass alloy components caused preferential dissolution of zinc, weakening the structure and obscuring markings. Therefore corrosion limited longevity more than expansion, warping, or deformation, which are less sensitive to saltwater exposure.

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