Table of Contents
What can cause hydrogen embrittlement?
Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) results from alloy exposure to hydrogen and hydrogen entering into the material during its fabrication and processing (e.g., casting, carbonizing, surface-chemical cleaning, pickling, electroplating, electrochemical machining, cathodic protection, welding, roll forming, and heat treatment).
What is hydrogen de embrittlement process?
De-embrittlement is the process of hardening metal, specifically hydrogen-susceptible metals that have been unintentionally introduced to hydrogen. This exposure to hydrogen makes the metal brittle and fracture; a disaster for high strength steel and other construction metals.
What metals are affected by hydrogen embrittlement?
Hydrogen embrittlement does not affect all metallic materials equally. The most vulnerable are high-strength steels, titanium alloys and aluminum alloys.
Does hydrogen weaken steel?
Intergranular cracking occurs when cracks form and grow along weakened grain boundaries in a metal. In the case of hydrogen embrittlement, the hydrogen bubbles at the grain boundaries weaken the metal.
How do you prevent hydrogen embrittlement?
Preventing hydrogen embrittlement Hydrogen embrittlement of electroplated components can be prevented by baking them at 375 to 430 °F (190 to 220°C) within a few hours after the electroplating process. During baking, the hydrogen diffuses out of the metal.
How do you identify Hydrogen embrittlement?
A simple bend test is often used to detect the presence of hydrogen embrittlement. Met- allographic techniques (Figure 4) can also be used to look at the near surface and for the presence of voids at grain boundaries.
What is embrittlement relief?
Thermal stress relief or baking for Hydrogen embrittlement is a process after plating to remove the hydrogen infused during the cleaning and plating process. The hydrogen gas bubbles form in the granular structure of the metal and causes embrittleness and premature failure of the part.