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Is Hydrogen Embrittlement a Concern in Mild Steel

Without knowing the dangers of hydrogen embrittlement, several weeks ago I used muriatic acid [affil links] to strip the rust from a very expensive motorcycle frame made of tig welded 1020 DOM .120 wall steel. It was not dipped in the acid. I sprayed in on, and scrubbed it down with a scotchbrite pad. This process took about an hour, then I nuetralized it, and put Ospho rust inhibitor on it. Now that I've learned of hydrogen embrittlement, I'm afraid that I have ruined the frame. Should I be concerned?

Bill McKinley
hobbyist - Nederland, Texas , USA
April 15, 2008

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Hydrogen embrittlement is mostly a problem related to hardened steels, and is a much smaller (some say non-existent) problem in mild steel. Many specifications draw the line at Rc 39 as being the hardness above which hydrogen embrittlement must be relieved by baking.

I think it's highly unlikely that you've caused any problem.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
April 16, 2008

Thanks Jeffrey, that makes me feel better to hear that.

Bill McKinley
- Nederland, Texas
April 18, 2008