Citric soak

[Emanuel]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Why did the springs become brittle?

Rust removal through electrolysis is subject to hydrogen embrittlement: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_embrittlement

Hydrogen evolved from the water through the electrolytic process can fuze with the object and induce cracking. Low-alloy, medium/high carbon steels like spring steels are apparently very susceptible to this.

Reversing the hydrogen absorption is done through heating.

There's never any quick solution I guess.

Emanuel