CREE 2m Ensinewrig Sociey Le eed Space, SAE/USCAR-5 INTERNATIONAL {400 Gommonwoalth Dive, Warrendale, PA 75096-0001 Issued November 1997 AVOIDANCE OF HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT OF STEEL SCOPE: This standard outlines the conditions that enhance the risk of hydrogen embrittlement of steel and define the relief procedures required to minimize the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. It is intended to control the process. 4.1. Hydrogen embrittlement of steel, which can cause brittle fractures under stress, occurs as a result of the absorption of hydrogen during cleaning, phosphate coating and plating processes. The susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement increases with inoreasing stress (internal or externally applied stress) and increasing material strength. Hardness readings in this specification are in Vickers scale. SAE J417 should be referred to for conversion to other scales. NOTE 4: All references to temperatures relate to part core temperature and not the indicated oven air temperature. Statistical data of verifications in temperature at the center of the oven load and oven temperature shall be established to develop the oven profile. The temperature of parts in a batch type of baking : furnace shall be monitored with a thermocouple placed in the middle of the oad. For continuous bake ovens a temperature trace through the oven must be run with a calibrated thermocouple in the lowest temperature position, at least once a year. 2. REFERENCES: 2.1 SAE Publications: Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. SAE J417 - Hardness Tests and Hardness Number Conversions j Tre research deta, anal, condison pirins ardor contents of hie document are slay re product ofthe aur. Nemor the Socio! ceeeeee Eger, (SAE) nor fe Ltd Sats Counc for Aslomols Resaatch (USCAR) ceils the comple of ny products wh he ae nator rakes any epresenstons os to the soowany of fe cones cl bis document norto is eppinabiy for purpose. isthe sole ! ‘SSaohy of the user! ts Coca to detemine whether htt apptace fr ner Dupose= i ‘Copy ©1997, USCAR ‘Ati reserves. Pamedin USA. QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS DOCUMENT: (724) 772-8545 FAX (724) 776-0243 ‘TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: (724) 776-4870 FAX (724) 776-0790a4 34 33 34 SAE/USCAR-S November 1997 AVOIDANCE OF HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT OF STEEL REQUIREMENTS: ‘The parts shall be processed in accordance with this specification as applicable to minimize the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. Specific applications or customer requirements may require processing which goes beyond the requirements of this specification. Processing of fasteners that are property class 9.8 or higher, or property class €.8 or higher for size M16 and larger, is included in paragraphs 3.1 through 3.5. Cleaning: All parts to be heat treated to a specified core hardness greater than 320 HV or specified surface hardness greater than 350 HV must be cleaned prior to heat treatment to remove phosphate associated lubricant residues and detrimental contaminants from the surface. 1 Acid Cleaning: Acid cleaning of high hardness parts (specified core hardness greater than $20 HV or surface hardness greater than 350 HV), or highly stressed cold worked parts enhances susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement, andishall be minimized. If high hardness parts are to be acid cleaned, itis required that a procedure be established for processing the parts that limits the time in the acid bath to a tnaximum of 10 minutes. Parts which are acid cleaned and subsequently oiled, phosptjated, mechanically plated, or electroplated shall follow the requirements of 3.2, 3.3, 3.4,0r 3.5, as applicable. All other parts which are acid cleaned shall not be used for 48 hours or alternately these parts shall be baked for 1 hour minimum at 115 + 5 °C following cleaning. 3.2 Oiled: All parts with specified core hardness greater than 320 HV or eurface hardness greater than 350 HV which are acid cleaned before application of oil stiall not be used for 48 hours or alternatively these parts shall be baked for’ hour minimum at 115 +5 °C after acid cleaning prior to oil application. Phosphated: All parts with a specified core hardness greater than 320 HV or surface hardness greater than 350 HV, which are acid cleaned and/or phosphate coated shall not be used for 48 hours or alternatively these parts shall be baked for 1 hour minimum at 115 + 5 °C following phosphate coating, Mechanical Plated: All parts with a specified core hardness greater than 320 HV cr surface hardness areater than 350 HV, which are acid cleaned before mechanical plating shall not be used for 48 hours or alternatively these parts shall be baked for 1 hour minimum at 115 +5 °C following mechanical plating.SAE/USCAR-5 November 1997 AVOIDANCE OF HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT OF STEEL 3.5. Electroplated: 3.5.1 All parts either hardened or cold worked to a specified core hardness greater than 320 HV or surface hardness greater than 350 HV, when electroplated shall be baked for 4 hours minimum at 200 = 5 °C within 1 hour of plating and prior to chromate treatment. All parts hardened to a specified core hardness greater than 380 HV or surface hardness greater than 400 HV, when electroplated shall be baked at 200 + 5 °C fora minimum of 8 hours within 1 hour of plating and prior to chromate treatment. 3.5.3 Hardened parts which have been tempered at less than 200 °C shall be baked for B hours minimum at 115 + 5 °C within 1 hour of electroplating, 3.6 Verification Test: The control plan shall include a verification test to demonstrate the effectiveness of deembrittiement. PREPARED BY THE USCAR FASTENER TECHNICAL COMMITTEE