Je was op zoek naar: corroding (Engels - Xhosa)

the corroding action on steel plates makes surface indentations.
ukupheliswa kwentshukumo kwipleyiti zentsimbi zenza umphandle ubothozwe.

still, it was strong enough, and by not corroding, it kept its strength and did not rot the wood around it.
yaye yomelele ngokwaneleyo kwaye nangokungadleki,yagcina amandla wayo kwaye ayizange ibolise ukhuni oluyijikelezileyo.