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Post bake cadmium plate induced embrittlement
During post cad plate bake on several high strength steel parts (Hy-Tuff, 300M, and 4340M) the oven malfunctioned and the parts were baked for 3 hours ranging from 400F to 700F and for an additional 1 hour from 700F to 740F. I assume that there is a deep cadmium embrittlement. Are there any known ways to relieve these parts?
Lawrence Branch- Minneapolis, Minnesota
2001
I have only been an observer on this site and was hoping it would stay that way, but I have to respond after seeing the steels you are dealing with.
In addition to probable solid metal embrittlement, you have overtempered these steels. They would have to be re-heat treated even if no plating was present.
The only way I could envision you could remove the cadmium is to remove the affected surface layer. However, I would have concern about the condition of the material, even with a cross-section to determine the extent of cadmium diffusion.
If I was asked to disposition these parts, they would be scrapped. Sorry about your situation.
Mike WareBoeing Materials Technology - Renton, Washington, USA
2001
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