What is hydrogen embrittlement, and how do you avoid/alleviate it?
Michael Marshall Moll PlastiCrafters, L.P. —- Hydrogen embrittlement is a phenomenon that affects high-strength steel. Hydrogen–often from pickling or plating–invades the grain structure of a high strength steel, making it brittle and subject to catastrophic failure. The best approach is to avoid or minimize processes that cause hydrogen embrittlement. The second best approach is to bake the parts to drive the hydrogen out, preferably very soon after plating. Some people feel that some degree of permanent damage occurs during the time between plating and baking, and that it is thus vital to bake immediately. Others feel that the old standard “bake within 24 hours” is sufficient. ASTM Committee B-8 spent a lot of time on this problem this summer; I’m not sure if their conclusions are in print yet, but you might want to drop them an e-mail from our Links page. Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey —- I have no specific comments at this time. However, I would be keen to k
