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


-----

Re-plating parts that have holidays

What is the procedure for re-plating steel parts made from 12L14 bars without causing hydrogen embrittlement?

Bob ABLONDI
Technical Consultant - Ann Arbor, Michigan
November 29, 2011

---

Hi, Bob.

To my knowledge, 12L14 is a soft, free-machining steel which would not be subject to hydrogen embrittlement due to low carbon content and lack of hardness. But I don't know what you mean by holidays in this context, or what the components are plated with, etc.

I'm guessing that you mean the plating was unsatisfactory (should have been rejected) and that you want to strip it and re-do it. Generally that is not a problem, although it is possible to accidentally pretty much ruin the steel during pretreatment, so there are sometimes parts that can't be practically salvaged.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 29, 2011

I go along with what Ted said. But, I would fix the cause which is the L IE: lead in the alloy. You will need to go to a fluoboric acid or mixture to remove / activate the lead. No other mineral acid will do it.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
November 29, 2011

---

Good afternoon:
The only reason I can think that hydrogen embrittlement is a concern would be if the parts were case hardened. If you have a copy of the print, maybe they have the heat treat and finishing specs listed?

Steve Bizub
- St Louis, Missouri
November 30, 2011