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Why does part become too brittle after the de-embrittlement process? What should I do?
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I work in the automotive industry and having problem with part (Zinc plated and gone thru the de-embrittlement process. During assembly of this part, the tang on the part is too brittle and broken off during the assembly process.Please advise.
Raymond GohQuality Engineer - Melbourne, Australia
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Hydrogen embrittlement damage occurs quickly and is permanent, Raymond. You must do the baking almost immediately -- how much time actually elapsed?
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
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What Ted said is extremely true.
Next, is the part properly designed? Try mounting a couple dozen unplated parts and see how many break.
Next, you may need to do a pre-bake or a shot peening process.
But normally, if the parts are in the oven within 30 minutes and spend 4 hours with the parts at 375F, you should have no problem. Spending too long in the acid etch is another common cause.
- Navarre, Florida