Understanding Hydrogen Embrittlement
What Is Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE)?
Hydrogen embrittlement is a serious risk for fasteners and components heat-treated to a hardness above 33 Rc (Rockwell C). During electroplating, hydrogen can become trapped in the metal, leading to micro-cracks and potential part failure in critical applications.
Key Risks of Electroplating:
- Uncertain Compliance: Industry standards require post-plate baking within hours of plating for 8+ hours to reduce HE risk—but there’s no way to verify if these steps were followed.
- High-Stakes Consequences: For industries like automotive, construction, and marine, even a small risk of HE can result in costly failures or safety issues.
The Dynaburr Solution
Why Choose Mechanical Plating?
At Dynaburr Chicago, Inc., our mechanical plating process (ASTM B695) eliminates hydrogen embrittlement entirely. By avoiding electrolytic methods, we deliver safe, reliable coatings for your fasteners and components.
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Benefits of Dynaburr’s Mechanical Plating:
- Zero HE Risk: No electrolysis means no hydrogen entrapment, ensuring part integrity for high-hardness applications.
- Versatile Coatings: From thin (0.00025″) zinc or tin coatings for indoor use to thick (0.001–0.0035″) zinc-aluminum coatings for outdoor durability, we tailor solutions to your needs.
- Industry Compliance: Our coatings meet ASTM B695 standards, trusted by automotive, agriculture, and electronics sectors.
- Fast Turnaround: With 140+ cubic feet of plating capacity, we handle high-volume orders with quick lead times.
| Feature | Dynaburr Mechanical Plating | Electroplating | Hot-Dip Galvanizing (HDG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen Embrittlement | Zero risk—no electrolysis | Risk present, even with baking | No HE risk, but not suited for thin coatings |
| Coating Thickness | Thin (0.00025″) to thick (0.001-0.0035″) | Thin only (0.00025″) | Thick only (0.001-0.003″) |
| Appearance | Attractive, uniform finish | Cosmetic-centric appearance | Poor appearance (dull, uneven) |
| Applications | Fasteners, staples, washers | Indoor, cosmetic | Outdoor, functional |
Real-World Applications
Trusted Across Industries
Dynaburr’s mechanical plating is used in demanding applications, from automotive bolts to construction staples and marine components. For example:
- Utility Staples: Mechanically galvanized to ASTM B695-04 Class 50 Type 1 with 0.002”–0.0035” zinc coatings for outdoor durability.
Flat Washers: Mechanically zinc-plated for corrosion resistance and a uniform finish in electronics and appliances.
Our ISO 9001:2015 certification and partnerships with leading fastener distributors ensure quality you can trust.
Try Dynaburr Risk-Free
Experience the Dynaburr Difference
Ready to eliminate HE risks and improve your fastener performance? Start with a no-cost trial:
- Free Sample Run: Test our mechanical plating against your current process.
Custom Quote: Submit your specifications via our Request for Quote (RFQ) form, and we’ll tailor a solution to your needs.