Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no registration, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT IN MOTORCYCLE FRAMES

MY QUESTION IS: I AM BUILDING A CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE FRAME FOR A V-8 POWERED BIKE. IS THERE ANY WAY TO TREAT WELDS FOR HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT IN THIS PROJECT? (SHOT PEENING, QUENCHING ECT,) WELDING IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR ME. I AM A CERTIFIED BOILERMAKER AT THE PLANT THAT I WORK.

TRAVIS C. RABY
- HELPER, UTAH, USA
2003

It is best to avoid hydrogen to start. This can be done with low hydrogen electrodes, or by baking the ones you plan to use. Making sure the surfaces you weld are clean.

If left alone in carbon steel, mild steel or alloy steel, hydrogen will diffuse out at slowly at room temperature with time.

If you are in more of a hurry, the hydrogen may be baked out with a low temperature heat treatment at 400F or so for 12 hrs to 24 hrs.

You can choose alloys to fabricate that are less prone to hydrogen embrittlement, lower strength materials.

John Rogers
- Sandusky, Ohio, USA
2003

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: