Embrittlement of steels, can cause brittle fracture under stress, this occurs as a result of the absorption of hydrogen, phosphorus or carbon during cleaning, electroplating phosphate coating and heat treatment processes.
The susceptibility to embrittlement increases with increasing stress and increasing material strength. Therefore, the specification of cleaning and finish requirements for hardened steel parts is crucial in reducing the risk of embrittlement.
Typical electrolytic processes which cause hydrogen embrittlement are: acid zinc, bright cadmium, bright nickel & bright chrome.
De-embrittlement is a heat treatment process which is carried out after electroplating where hydrogen embrittlement is likely to take place.
Typical electrolytic processes which cause hydrogen embrittlement are: acid zinc, bright cadmium, bright nickel & bright chrome.
De-embrittlement is a heat treatment process which is carried out after electroplating where hydrogen embrittlement is likely to take place.
