Analysis of Charpy Impact Verification Data: 1993–2003

Abstract

Abstract Indirect verification tests used to verify the performance of Charpy impact machines according to ASTM Standard E23 were evaluated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the data from these tests are collected in a database. The data include the capacity and the pendulum design of the impact machine, the energy obtained for each specimen tested, the reference energy for the specimen lot tested, and the test date. The principal use of this data is to track the performance of individual impact machines. However, the data also provide an opportunity to evaluate existing and proposed requirements for the indirect verification of Charpy impact machines. The results of more than 16 000 verification tests are used to compare the current verification requirements of ASTM Standard E23 with those of ISO Standard 148–2. Discussions focus on the identification of reasonable, practical, and meaningful verification requirements that might be proposed for use in both documents.