Answer
Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) is a catastrophic failure mechanism where atomic hydrogen diffuses into the high-strength martensitic lattice of a carbon steel (SAE 1070-1090) spring during the electroplating process. When the spring is stressed, the hydrogen migrates to areas of high stress concentration, causing brittle intergranular cracking. To mitigate this, industry standards like ASTM B633 require an immediate 'baking' cycle. The springs must be placed in an oven at $375^\circ F$ ($190^\circ C$) for a minimum of 4 to 24 hours within 1 to 4 hours of plating. This 'de-embrittlement' bake allows the hydrogen to diffuse out of the material. For mission-critical automotive safety components, mechanical plating or stainless steel alternatives are often chosen to eliminate the risk of HE entirely.
