In an impact test, the test specimen is shaped like a rectangle. The term “longitudinal” or “transverse” refers to whether the grain of the steel in the test specimen runs the length of the rectangle (“longitudinal”) or the width of the rectangle (“transverse”). Please refer to our Understanding Impacts sheet to learn more.

We calculate the weight of a steel plate using the formula: thickness x width x length x 0.2836 (the density of steel).  For example, a plate that is 0.25” x 96” x 288” would be calculated as 0.25 x 96 x 288 x 0.2836 = 1960 lbs.  When calculating the gross weight of a cut part, it is standard in the industry to add 0.5” to the length and width dimensions as a “kerf allowance”.  The kerf allowance captures the weight of the steel (or “kerf”) that is melted away as part of the cutting process.

“Cat 3” is short for Category 3, which refers to a specific category of Charpy V-notch longitudinal impact test temperature in the CSA G40.21 specification.  There are five categories in total:

     
The minimum longitudinal average absorbed energy level for 50WT for categories 1 through 4 is 27J (20 ft lbs.).  For 100QT for categories 1 through 4 the minimum is 34J (25 ft lbs.).

Please see the following documents for information:

Cleveland-Cliffs (HARDWEAR) (Interplate Zero, datasheet and SDS)

Dillinger (DILLIDUR, DILLIMAX) (Hempel ZS 15890, overview, datasheet, and SDS base \ and SDS curing agent)

Jiangyin Xingcheng (XCHD) (Hempatex Enamel 5636V, datasheet and SDS)

NLMK Clabecq (Quard, Quend) (Hempel ZS 15890, datasheet and SDS base and SDS curing agent; and Jotun Muki Z 2001, datasheet and SDS A and SDS B)

SSAB (Hardox, Strenx) (Tech Support #25)

voestalpine (durostat) (Hempel ZS 15890, datasheet and SDS base and SDS curing agent)

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