This guide covers the standard procedure of performing post-coating heat treatment of some steels for reducing susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement or degradation that may arise in the finishing processes. This heat treatment procedure shall be used after plating operations but prior to any secondary conversion coating operation. Except for surface-hardened and shot-peened parts, the choice of embrittlement-relief heat treatment and the corresponding treatment conditions shall be selected on the basis of actual tensile strength of the steel.

1.1 This guide covers procedures for reducing the susceptibility in some steels to hydrogen embrittlement or degradation that may arise in the finishing processes.

1.2 The heat treatment procedures established herein may be effective for reducing susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement. This heat-treatment procedure shall be used after plating operations but prior to any secondary conversion coating operation.

1.3 This guide has been coordinated with ISO/DIS 9588 and is technically equivalent.

Note 1-The heat treatment does not guarantee complete freedom from the adverse effects of hydrogen degradation.