The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

  -----

Correcting Hydrogen Embrittlement After Ornamental Chrome

I have a customer whose critical tubular fabricated suspension components (upper & lower control arms) for a GT1 race car inadvertently got ornimental chrome plated. The arms were fabricated from 4130. Is there any way to eliminate the HE from these arms?

Stephen J. Hague
PolarStar Engineering & Machine - Newark, Delaware, USA
2005

---

Next time there is, but not this time. The parts can be baked for hydrogen relief. There is a standard and it's about 375 °F for 12 hours but you'd need to look it up because I can't remember the exact numbers. The problem is that the damage from hydrogen embrittlement occurs within the first few hours, so the parts must be baked immediately.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005