Avoidance of Hydrogen Embrittlement of Steel

Abstract

This standard outlines the conditions that enhance the risk ofhydrogen embrittlement of steel and defines the relief proceduresrequired to minimize the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. It isintended to control the process.Hydrogen embrittlement of steel, which can cause brittlefractures under stress, occurs as a result of the absorption ofhydrogen during cleaning, phosphate coating and plating processes.The susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement increases withincreasing stress (internal or externally applied stress) andincreasing material strength.Hardness readings in this specification are in Vickers scale.SAE J417 should be referred to for conversion to other scales.