1. hard layers or coatings that form on surfaces, especially through the buildup of mineral deposits or other substances

Examples

• The old pipes were clogged with calcium encrustations.
• Salt encrustations covered the rocks near the shore.
• The archaeologist carefully removed the encrustations from the ancient artifact.
• Years of mineral deposits had formed thick encrustations on the cave walls.
• The ship’s hull showed heavy encrustations of barnacles and seaweed.
• Lime encrustations made the faucet difficult to turn.