H2 Embrittlement Relief Bake and Nitrided Parts
H2 Embrittlement Relief Bake and Nitrided Parts
(OP)
Most of the electroplating specifications call for baking at 275°F when dealing with carburized parts. Does anyone know if the same restriction would apply to parts case hardened by nitriding? by carbon nitriding?
Does nitriding increase or decrease the risk of hydrogen embrittlement?
What bake cycles are recommended for hydrogren embrittlement relief of nitrided parts?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Does nitriding increase or decrease the risk of hydrogen embrittlement?
What bake cycles are recommended for hydrogren embrittlement relief of nitrided parts?
Any help greatly appreciated.





RE: H2 Embrittlement Relief Bake and Nitrided Parts
So, what you need to provide is the hardness level to which your component has been hardened. Based on that, you can use one of the two documents I listed above to prescribe the necessary treatment. By the way, why are you electroplating a surface that has been carburized or nitrided? These layers are usually much more wear resistant that electrodeposited coatings, unless you are using industrial (hard) chromium.
RE: H2 Embrittlement Relief Bake and Nitrided Parts
I will try to trac down the SAE document you mentioned, as I have not read that one. My major concern is when the parts have been nitrided as to the heat treatment implications, such as maximum temperature.
RE: H2 Embrittlement Relief Bake and Nitrided Parts
You said, "My major concern is when the parts have been nitrided as to the heat treatment implications, such as maximum temperature."
Do you mean max temp for baking?
Are you concerned that the 275F baking (or a higher temp if used) might affect the nitrded microstructure? This is not a problem since the tempering of martensite will occur at temperatures well below temperatures which would affect the ntrided structure.
TVP broached an interesting point and maybe this is part of your question. What effect does the nitrided microstructure have upon restricting evolution of hydrogen during bake-off after plating?
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard
RE: H2 Embrittlement Relief Bake and Nitrided Parts
I am very interested in the effect of nitriding has on diffusion of hydrogen into the base steel, as well as the diffusion bake out during the bake. I can't recall ever seeing anything on this.
RE: H2 Embrittlement Relief Bake and Nitrided Parts
I have never read anything about nitrides being susceptible to tempering. I doubt that thermal processing would affect the hardness of the nitrides but I could be wrong. Let's see what others have to say.
Jesus is THE life,
Leonard
RE: H2 Embrittlement Relief Bake and Nitrided Parts