1.1 This specification covers procedures for reducing the susceptibility or degree of susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement or degradation that may arise in electroplating, autocatalytic plating, porcelain enameling, chemical conversion coating, and phosphating and the associated pretreatment processes. This specification is applicable to those steels whose properties are not affected adversely by baking at 190 to 230°C or higher (see 6.1.1).

1.2 The heat treatment procedures established herein have been shown to be effective for reducing the susceptibility of steel parts of tensile strength 1000 MPa or greater that have been machined, ground, cold-formed, or cold-straightened subsequent to heat treatment. This heat-treatment procedure is used prior to any operation capable of hydrogen charging the parts, such as the cleaning procedures prior to electroplating, autocatalytic plating, porcelain enameling, and other chemical coating operations. Note 1 - 1 MPa = 145.1 psi.

1.3 This specification has been coordinated with ISO/DIS 9587 and is technically equivalent.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.