ASTM Int'l Resolves RoHS, Hydrogen Embrittlement Issues in Revised Zinc Standard - ASTM B 633

May 1, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

ASTM B 633 is under the jurisdiction of Task Group B08.08.04 on Soft Metals, which is part of Subcommittee B08.08 on Metallic Coatings.

Zinc coatings are used to provide a sacrificial metal that prevents corrosion, thus protecting the base metal.

These coatings are used extensively on building hardware, highways, fasteners, appliances, transportation and industrial applications.

The primary changes to ASTM B 633 involve three areas:

• Expanding the stress relief and hydrogen embrittlement treatments to be consistent with ASTM B 849 - Specification for Pre-Treatments of Iron or Steel for Reducing Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement and ASTM B 850 - Guide for Post-Coating Treatments of Steel for Reducing the Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement.
• The addition of non-chromate coatings to comply with the European Union (EU) directive 2002/95/European Commission (EC) - Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substance in Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
• Changes to the language to eliminate ambiguous use of may, can, should and shall statements to comply with federal guidelines for procurement.

ASTM B 633 was originally published in 1978 and incorporated a unified technology describing heat treatments for stress relief and hydrogen embrittlement and post treatments using chromates. Since the original standard was issued, several changes occurred in the industry including the advent of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS).

Source: ASTM International.