Plating Processes

Other Processes

Baking

During cleaning and plating operations, hydrogen gas can be absorbed into parts causing a condition called hydrogen embrittlement. Hydrogen embrittlement does not affect all metallic materials equally.The most vulnerable are high-strength steels, and steels with a Rockwell hardness of greater than C30. Hydrogen embrittlement is one of the major causes of fastener failure. Harmful results of hydrogen embrittlement include a reduction in ductility and load-bearing capacity, which can cause cracking and catastrophic brittle failures (parts breaking).

To minimize the chance of hydrogen embrittlement, baking is often performed (and required) on high strength parts. The baking cycle is typically started soon after plating—often within one hour of the plating process being completed. Typical baking cycles are at temperatures ranging from 350-400 deg. F. for times ranging from several hours to 8 hours or more.

All baking cycles in our facility are computer monitored to control oven temperature and baking time. This stringent process control ensures that customer parts are baked per specification, thereby reducing the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. Historic baking records and documentation are also kept for all customer orders that are baked.