
Curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET

The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing 1989-2025

-----
Preventing Discoloration of Low Alloy Steel during embrittlement relief
Can anyone suggest a method of preventing the blue discoloration of low alloy steel which frequently occurs during hydrogen embrittlement relief baking at 190 deg. C.? This can be avoided by baking in a vacuum oven under nitrogen atmosphere, but this is not cost effective. The problem is mainly cosmetic. We want to avoid any post-baking treatments which might reintroduce hydrogen embrittlement.
Aryeh Asher- Rehovot, Israel
I have tightly wrapped parts in aluminum foil to prevent that from occurring successfully in the past.
Rick Richardson CEFDayton, Ohio
Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread