17-4 tube hydrogen embrittlement

[luisd]

We are hard chrome plating a 17-4PH tube (OD.75"xLength 44")and I'm concerned about hydrogen embrittlement since we had problems with an assy before. We are now baking before and after plating.
We also need to grind after we plate and I've been told that it is better to bake it to relieve stress after grinding. Does anyone have experience doing this? Do I have a time restriction after grinding to bake it? Do I really need to bake after grinding?
Your help is greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Luis

 

[metengr]

lusid;
We have hard chrome plated many low alloy steel and martensitic stainless steel shafts with a post bake operation to remove hydrogen.

To my knowledge, we have never performed nor required a post bake after plating to relieve residual stresses. Once the post bake is completed, light surface grinding is performed to obtain the necessary dimensional tolerances of the plated shaft diameter for use in service.

 

[luisd]

metengr,

Thanks for your response. I think you ment "a post bake after GRINDING to relieve residual stresses", did you?
So no bake after grinding is required.
Thanks again
Luis

 

[metengr]

Yes.