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Hydrogen Embrittlement

January 30, 2009

We have a heat treated flat washer that was zinc plated without the hydrogen embrittlement
bake cycle.
Can the reworking process of stripping, replating and baking correct any hydrogen
embrittlement problems?

Lloyd Fohner
Plating Shop Owner - Erie, PA, USA

Basically, no. If the washers are Rc 39 or higher, they should have been baked immediately after plating.
It is my understanding that once the Hydrogen propagates into the steel, typically along the grain boundaries, the damage is done and can not be undone.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

Lloyd,

To the best of my knowledge the damage (if any) is already done. There isn't any going back.

Trent Kaufman
electroplater - Galva, Illinois

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