AquaArmor is a water based process and does not employ electroplating or pickling which are
suspected as causes of 'embrittlement' as described below.
Hydrogen embrittlement (or hydrogen grooving) is the process by which various metals,
most importantly high-strength steel, become brittle and crack following exposure to hydrogen.
(extract from: 2000-2007 Plating Systems & Technologies)
Hydrogen embrittlement is a major cause of metal failure. The prevailing thought is
that steels with Rockwell hardness above C30 are vulnerable. The phenomenon
is well-known although the precise mechanism has eluded extensive research. A
number of proposed mechanisms have been proposed, and most have at least
some merit. Current thinking is that the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement is
related directly to the trap population. Generally, hydrogen embrittlement can be
described as absorption and adsorption of hydrogen promoting enhanced
decohesion of the steel, primarily as an intergranular phenomenon.
Electroplating is a major cause of hydrogen embrittlement. Some hydrogen is
generated during the cleaning and pickling cycles, but by far the most significant
source is cathodic inefficiency, which is followed by sealing the hydrogen in the
parts.
Baking is often performed on high strength parts to reduce this risk, and the
ASTM, in 1994, issued a specification for baking cycles. However for production plating,
having to remove the parts from the production line to bake, followed by a separate
chromating process, is a laborious process.
High strength steel samples when coated with AquaArmor have, in independant laboratory
tests, been shown to exhibit no hydrogen embrittlement failure, The performance conforms
to ASTM F519 and all applicable Federal, Military, AMS, ASTM or Contractor requirements
See: Hydrogen Embrittlement Test Report
