TIL that leaving a chain in degreaser causes something called hydrogen embrittlement.
I left this chain in degreaser for a day or two a while back, and didn't go for a ride for a number of reasons. I jumped on today and was going around the carpark at work nice and slow and the very moment I applied the smallest amount of back pressure, the chain snapped as pictured. Glad I was going at walking pace and tested the bike at work on a flat surface rather than bombing down my driveway and street onto a main road.
More time soaking your chain in degreaser is NOT better. I'll need a new chain now, but lesson learnt and fortunately in a safe area.
by Dissendat
4 Comments
That thing has more going on than hydrogen embrittlement bro
Interesting! I had now idea this was a thing
What degreaser did you use?
Only acidic cleaners would do this, and unfortunately there are a lot of them out there. Even long term soaking in the classic Simple Green formula causes this, and why that company makes the Aircraft & Precision Cleaner to better protect against it.
Here is a great article from [Silca about hydrogen embrittlement](https://silca.cc/blogs/silca/hydrogen-embrittlement-can-you-really-break-a-chain?srsltid=AfmBOoqgJuuVlosmSNnvaghG7Dfqwou52oxDkagAstS5VVsj-Agqvgla) for folks who want to learn more so they can better choose the correct solution.
Sure, one could say “don’t leave parts in the washer” but we get distracted and forget , so best use correct cleaners as a default.
Looks nasty but glad u were safe. Why did you leave it in degreaser for long period? Try a brush maybe?