HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT OF ELECTROPLATED HIGH STRENGTH STEELS
Abstract
The use of high strength steels, free of hydrogen embrittlement, gave rise to an investigation into the effect of hydrogen and the methods of preventing or eliminating embrittlement. Hydrogen, induced by cathodic charging, cyanide and fluoborate Cadmium plating, and Chromium plating, was shown to produce embrittlement which varied in severity with the strength level and charging technique in SAE 4340 and 4140 steels. These steels were heat treated to the tensile strength level range between 180,000 and 270,000 psi. The susceptibility to embrittlement increased with increasing tensile strength. Fluoborate Cadmium plating did not embrittle as much as other charging methods tested. Minimum baking treatments to relieve embrittlement were determined for each strength level and charging technique. Static fatigue limits were determined for SAE 4140 steel electroplated with Cadmium and Chromium. The use of Cadmium and electroless Ni preplates as barriers to hydrogen diffusion was proven unsatisfactory as a method of preventing hydrogen embrittlement. An H-11 type tool steel, plated with Ni and Cadmium and baked at 600 F, produced an unembrittled corrosion protected steel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0275011
Entities
People
- J. M. Katlin
- J. W. Forney