Official Answer
Answer
Carbon steel wave springs (e.g., SAE 1070-1090) are susceptible to Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) during acid pickling or electroplating processes. Atomic hydrogen migrates into the grain boundaries of the high-strength martensitic structure, leading to catastrophic brittle fracture under static load. Mitigation involves 'baking' the springs immediately after plating (typically within 1 to 4 hours) at approximately $375^{\circ}F$ ($190^{\circ}C$) for 4 to 24 hours depending on the coating thickness and material hardness. For critical subsea or automotive applications, many engineers specify mechanical zinc plating or stainless steel alternatives to eliminate the risk of HE entirely.
