Zinc plating source that heat treats

[Patrick H.]

[Rod K.]

Re: Zinc plating source that heat treats

I went through this with some fasteners for my car. First, do some research. As I recall, the parts need to be baked within a fairly short time frame after plating to be effective, which would rule out shipping any distance you can't simply drive to. Second, if I recall correctly, the temperature requirements are well within the range of a home oven, which is what I used. Drove the parts home from the plater, stuck them in the oven for the required time and returned them to the plater for final chromate processing. I don't have the necessary info available so you'll have to find the time/temperature requirements on the internet, but that should be quick, just search for zinc plating heat treated fasteners or something similar. The only negative I had was my fasteners all turned a goldish color similar to a yellow chromate during the baking cycle. Don't know if there was something in the oven or if a specific atmosphere is required to maintain the natural zinc color but that's something you might want to investigate further before you proceed. My plater didn't have an answer to what caused it and I just chose to accept it.

[John D.]

Re: Zinc plating source that heat treats

Dr. Patrick, Try Beringer Plating Inc. 1211 DeValera Ave. Akron, OH 44310 330-633-8408
They will bake the needed parts I believe.
They charge by the batch so get a lot done at once. John

[Joe L.]

Re: Zinc plating source that heat treats

I went through this with some fasteners for my car. First, do some research. As I recall, the parts need to be baked within a fairly short time frame after plating to be effective, which would rule out shipping any distance you can't simply drive to. Second, if I recall correctly, the temperature requirements are well within the range of a home oven, which is what I used. Drove the parts home from the plater, stuck them in the oven for the required time and returned them to the plater for final chromate processing. I don't have the necessary info available so you'll have to find the time/temperature requirements on the internet, but that should be quick, just search for zinc plating heat treated fasteners or something similar. The only negative I had was my fasteners all turned a goldish color similar to a yellow chromate during the baking cycle. Don't know if there was something in the oven or if a specific atmosphere is required to maintain the natural zinc color but that's something you might want to investigate further before you proceed. My plater didn't have an answer to what caused it and I just chose to accept it.

Rod------


For safety-related chassis/suspension fasteners I, personally, would not rely on "home-grown" heat treatments. I also would not rely on what I regard as "primitive" treatments that some small plating shops might use.

For safety critical fasteners, I use and recommend only new GM fasteners or high quality aftermarket. Safety trumps originality.

[Mark F.]

Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE)

The video in the attached link gives a quick overview of hydrogen embrittlement (HE).

I was not aware that even the manufacturing process can induce internal HE problems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa8WOKGjm4s

[John D.]

Re: Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE)

I used to get small split lock washers heat treated. 8/32 and 10/32 for fuel injections etc. Well that didn't work out as so many of them broke, fell apart.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Zinc plating source that heat treats

Dr. Patrick, Try Beringer Plating Inc. 1211 DeValera Ave. Akron, OH 44310 330-633-8408
They will bake the needed parts I believe.
They charge by the batch so get a lot done at once. John

John,

do you have a specific contact there?

Patrick

[Tom E.]

Re: Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE)

For those interested here is a very good discussion and overview of hydrogen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAHC...59Ez5aJ4AaABAg

[Michael G.]

Re: Zinc plating source that heat treats

Patrick, most GM bolts are Grade 5 or lower. The top end of the Grade 5 hardness spec is 34 Rockwell, which is not hard enough to be a problem. You should be concerned about Grade 8 bolts as well as tapping screws.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Zinc plating source that heat treats

Patrick, most GM bolts are Grade 5 or lower. The top end of the Grade 5 hardness spec is 34 Rockwell, which is not hard enough to be a problem. You should be concerned about Grade 8 bolts as well as tapping screws.

Some of these may be suspension bolts. I will check tomorrow.
If I don't have to worry about embrittlement for Grade 5 or less that would make my life a lot easier.

[Michael G.]