Pre-bake metal treatments are used to improve the performance and reliability of plated components. Common in demanding applications, these processes prepare the metal surface before plating and help extend the service life of the finished part. When used alongside zinc nickel electroplating, pre-baking improves coating adhesion and supports a more consistent finish.
Understanding Pre and Post Baking
Pre-baking is a process that involves heating certain materials before they are plated to evaporate surface moisture and hydrogen. Post-baking is a process that is done after plating to evaporate the hydrogen that is absorbed from the plating process. This is particularly important with high strength steels to prevent brittleness. The pre-baking and post-baking process serves as stress relief and can be an excellent method to prevent component failure.
Why Hydrogen Control Matters
Hydrogen embrittlement occurs when hydrogen enters the metal during electroplating, weakening the material and increasing cracking risk. Pre and post baking help remove hydrogen before and after plating, significantly reducing this risk. Controlling hydrogen embrittlement is especially critical for safety sensitive components, including those finished with zinc nickel coatings.
For those interested in learning more about zinc nickel coating, consider reaching out to a specialist such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/plating/zinc-nickel-plating/.
Benefits for Coated Components
Pre-baking is used for adhesion between layers and generally for increasing mechanical strength. The baked-in parts have a certain mechanical strength and elasticity during load. This gives a higher performance, less mechanical failure and longer life time. In the long run, this will lead to fewer faults, lower maintenance costs and longer life time of the products
