ISO 9588-2007 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 9588-2007 — Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Post-coating treatments of iron or steel to reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. This International Standard specifies post-coating heat‑treatment procedures intended to reduce the susceptibility of iron and steel parts to hydrogen‑assisted brittle fracture that can arise from surface‑finishing processes.

Abstract

ISO 9588:2007 defines heat‑treatment procedures to reduce the degree of susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement introduced during metallic and other inorganic coating processes. The procedures are intended to be applied after surface finishing and before any secondary conversion‑coating operations. The standard provides embrittlement‑relief classes and guidance on treatment temperatures, minimum holding times and timing relative to coating operations. ISO 9588:2007 does not apply to fasteners and has been withdrawn and replaced by later consolidated guidance (see Related standards).

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (replaced by later ISO publications)
• Publication date: December 2007 (ISO: 2007‑12)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 25.220.20, 25.220.40
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2007)
• Number of pages: 5

Scope

Applies to iron and steel parts that have received metallic or other inorganic coatings where hydrogen introduced during surface finishing may cause delayed brittle failure. The standard specifies post‑coating heat‑treatment classes and procedural recommendations to reduce susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement. It excludes fasteners and does not replace stress‑relief treatments specified for pre‑coating operations (see ISO 9587).

Key topics and requirements

• Objective: reduce or remove hydrogen introduced by surface finishing to lower the risk of hydrogen‑assisted brittle fracture.
• Definition of embrittlement‑relief classes (ER classes) that match steel strength/hardness ranges to appropriate treatment regimes.
• Specification of post‑coating heat‑treatment temperatures and minimum holding times (typical treatment temperatures range roughly from about 130 °C up to several hundred °C, with higher temperatures or longer times used for higher‑strength/harder steels).
• Timing: heat treatment is to be applied promptly after surface finishing and before any subsequent mechanical processing or conversion coatings.
• Limitations: does not apply to fasteners; treatment reduces susceptibility but does not guarantee complete immunity from hydrogen embrittlement.
• Cross‑reference to related pre‑treatment/stress‑relief requirements (ISO 9587) and to later consolidated guidance replacing this standard.

Typical use and users

Used by coating specifiers, procurement teams, plating and heat‑treatment workshops, quality and metallurgical engineers, corrosion specialists and designers of components manufactured from iron and steel where coatings (electroplating, electroless plating, certain chemical treatments) may introduce hydrogen. It is intended for purchasers and suppliers to specify appropriate post‑coating heat‑treatment requirements in contracts and technical specifications.

Related standards

Key related documents include ISO 9587 (pretreatment/stress‑relief heat treatments prior to surface finishing) and the later consolidated ISO guidance that supersedes ISO 9588 (ISO 24251‑1:2025 and related parts addressing prevention of hydrogen‑assisted brittle fracture). Other surface‑treatment and coating standards (for example standards covering hot‑dip galvanizing, conversion coatings and coating pretreatment) are often used together with ISO 9588 guidance when developing comprehensive coating and fabrication specifications.

Keywords

hydrogen embrittlement; post‑coating heat treatment; metallic coatings; electroplating; embrittlement‑relief classes; stress relief; iron; steel; surface treatment; coating specification.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 9588:2007 is an International Standard that specified post‑coating heat‑treatment procedures for iron and steel to reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement introduced during surface‑finishing processes.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the purpose, timing and general classes of heat treatments to reduce hydrogen susceptibility after metallic or inorganic coating operations, including guidance on matching treatment regimes to material strength/hardness and on performing treatment before any secondary conversion coatings or mechanical processing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Coating and plating suppliers, heat‑treatment shops, procurement and quality engineers, metallurgists and designers of steel components where hydrogen embrittlement is a concern.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 9588:2007 has been withdrawn (withdrawal noted in 2025) and its content has been superseded and consolidated into later ISO publications addressing prevention of hydrogen‑assisted brittle fracture (for example ISO 24251‑1:2025). Users should refer to the newer documents for current requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO 9588 is linked with ISO 9587 (pre‑treatment/stress‑relief before coating). Its subject matter has since been brought together within newer ISO work on prevention of hydrogen‑assisted brittle fracture (see ISO 24251 series and related surface‑treatment standards).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Hydrogen embrittlement, post‑coating heat treatment, metallic coatings, electroplating, stress relief, embrittlement‑relief classes, iron, steel, surface treatment.