Australian Steel Charpy V-Notch Impact Values — AS/NZS 3679.1
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Reference for Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact testing per AS/NZS 3679.1:2016 and AS 4100:2020 Clause 2.4.5. Covers L0 and L15 designations, minimum absorbed energy, test temperatures.
| Designation | Temp | Min Avg | Min Single | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L0 | 0°C | 27 J | 20 J | Standard coastal/urban |
| L15 | -15°C | 27 J | 20 J | Alpine, fracture-critical |
| L20 | -20°C | 27 J | 20 J | Special low-temp |
Required Charpy by Application
| Application | Min Designation | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Building columns (compression) | None required | 2.4.5.1 |
| Tension members (ext <0°C) | L15 | 2.4.5.2 |
| Fracture-critical (bridges) | L15 | 2.4.5.3 |
| Seismic ductile members | L0 | AS 1170.4 |
Worked Example
Problem: Welded tension member, Jindabyne NSW (min -8°C). Grade 350 plate, 25 mm.
Solution: Per Clause 2.4.5.2: ambient <0°C → L15. Specify Grade 350 L15 (27 J at -15°C). One set of 3 specimens per heat.
Design Resources
- [[Australian Steel Grades|/reference/australian-steel-grades/]] | [[Australian Steel Properties|/reference/australian-steel-properties/]] | [[Australian Beam Sizes|/reference/au-beam-sizes/]] | [[Australian Bolt Capacity|/reference/australian-bolt-capacity/]] | [[AS 4100 Beam Design|/reference/as4100-beam-design-example/]] | [[All Australian References|/reference/]]
FAQ
What is the standard Charpy requirement for Grade 300 steel? L0: min 27 J at 0°C. Grade 300PLUS guarantees 27 J at 0°C for all thicknesses.
When should L15 be specified? Alpine regions, dynamically loaded structures, and tensile stress below -5°C ambient.
What if a Charpy test fails? Retest 3 additional specimens. Failure on retest rejects material per AS/NZS 3679.1 Clause 8.4.
Educational Use Only — This reference is for educational and preliminary design purposes only. All structural designs must be independently verified by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Structural Engineer (SE) in accordance with AS 4100:2020 and all applicable Australian Standards. Results are not for construction.