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Specifications re. hydrogen embrittlement
Q. We are a group of industries manufacturing precision turned and forged components & are OEM suppliers to the reputed auto industries in India.In our Manufacturing range most of the components are heat treated(30-45 HRC) and followed by electroplating process. We are facing lot of problems with hydrogen embrittlement. We request you to arrange to send us technical detailed literature on Hydrogen de embrittlement(Causes and prevention).
Dinesh Bajajmanager-projects - Rohtak, Haryana, India
2004
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A. First things first. Exactly why do you think that you have a hydrogen embrittlement problem. Second, what is your current processing cycle. James Watts- Navarre, Florida 2004
A. It would be very handy to know what materials you are plating, what types of electroplating you are carrying out and what all your current processes are. It may then be possible to answer a very general question with details aimed specifically at your needs.  Trevor Crichton R&D practical scientist Chesham, Bucks, UK 2004 |
2004
A. There are ASTM (www.astm.org ) and ISO standards for minimizing the hydrogen formation, removal of hydrogen and testing for embrittlement damage.
ASTM B849-02 Standard Specification for Pre-Treatments of Iron or Steel for Reducing Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement (equivalent to ISO/DIS 9587).
ASTM B850-98 Standard Guide for Post-Coating Treatments of Steel for Reducing the Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement (equivalent to ISO/DIS 9588). "The heat treatment shall commence as soon as possible, preferably within 1 hr but not later than 3 hr after plating." Table 1 specifies the temperature and duration of the heat treatment for steels based upon tensile strengths.
ASTM F519 Standard Test Method for Mechanical HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT Evaluation of Plating Processes and Service Environments. This test a quality control requirement for some MIL-spec and aerospace plating.
ASTM B839-04 [withdrawn] Standard Test Method for Residual Embrittlement in Metallic Coated, Externally Threaded Articles, Fasteners, and Rod Inclined Wedge Method (equivalent to ISO/DIS 10587).
ASTM F1624 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hydrogen Embrittlement Threshold in Steel by the Incremental Step Loading Technique. The above tests are of a pass-fail nature. This one measures the relative susceptibility of a tested steel to embrittlement.
Ken Vlach [deceased]- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
A. Mr Bajaj,
I presume you have discovered that the components snap or crack under load and assume it is Hydrogen Embrittlement. You have not stated whether it is zinc or any other metal you plate and the kind of bath. However here are broad outlines of preventives first. - If the parts are not rusty stay with soak cleaning and a mild acid dip. Note: Intensive acid pickling generates lots of Hydrogen and accompanying embrittlement. So cut down acid pickling to need based levels.
2) Plate in an acid based solution where the least Hydrogen is generated. Cyanide baths generate lots of Hydrogen due to in efficiency levels of 30 to 40 percent. Acid baths have 2 to 5 percent inefficiency levels.
3) De embrittle after Plating . 220 centigrade . 120 to 240 minutes depending on the level of embrittlement. Timings need to be established. Cool in air , do not quench in water. Passivate after cool at Room temp.
Good Luck
These are industry accepted methods for dealing with embrittlement.
Asif Nurie [deceased]
- New Delhi, India
With deep regret we sadly advise that Asif passed away on Jan 24, 2016
2004
Experimental method for quantifiable hydrogen embrittlement?
Q. Is there any experimental method to charge hydrogen in high strength steels and simulate hydrogen embrittlement failures?
Akshayaa Raj- India
February 15, 2018
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Hi Akshayaa, TEL - N FERRARIS - Cañuelas, Buenos Aires, Argentina February 16, 2018 You might take a look at ASTM F1624; it seems like that is what you are looking for. IMHO (though you didn't ask) there is no substitute for testing real parts under real processing conditions.  Tom Rochester CTO - Jackson, Michigan, USA Plating Systems & Technologies, Inc.   February 15, 2018 |
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