GULFSTREAM G650ER

STRUCTURAL REPAIR MANUAL

LOW ALLOY STEEL SURFACE TREATMENT — REPAIRS

1. Low Alloy Steel — Surface Treatment
A. General
Bare surfaces of most steels are highly reactive when exposed to the environment. Low alloy steel is
either cadmium or cadmium / titanium plated after machining and heat treatment. Steel parts absorb
hydrogen during plating operations and may also do so inservice during a corrosion reaction.
Hydrogen absorption may cause crack initiation and propagation and result in catastrophic or
delayed brittle fracture when part is under a sustained tensile or internal stress. Steel parts at
strengths above 150 ksi are usually susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement.
Steel parts heat treated to 150 ksi and below are not considered susceptible to hydrogen
embrittlement. Steel parts heat treated to 180 ksi and above; however, are highly susceptible to
hydrogen embrittlement and shall be plated by low embrittlement processes. High strength parts of
200 ksi or above shall not be electrolytically cadmium plated and may only be vacuum deposited with
cadmium. In order to preclude use of conventional plating process, rework surfaces of all alloy steel
parts having strengths less than 200 ksi. Alloy steel parts having strengths less than 200 ksi shall be
cadmium plated by a low hydrogen embrittlement cadmium plating process.
B. References
(1) The following are Gulfstream and federal references:
• Original Finishes, 51-20-00, General
• QQ-P-416 Plating, cadmium (electrodeposited)
C. Surface Treatment
(1) Refer to federal specification QQ-P-416 for plating of any parts.
(2) Apply original finish after plating. See Original Finishes, 51-20-00, General.
(3) Bare steel prior to surface treatments will readily rust or corrode; therefore, bare finished
machined or ground surfaces shall always be sprayed with a Type II rust inhibitor prior to
coating with plating and / or organic coating.

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STRUCTURAL REPAIR MANUAL

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