Hardness Testing of Thermal Cut Edges of Steel

Recent concerns for the quality of thermal cut edges (TCE) of steels used in bridge construction led to a research program funded by the American Iron and Steel Institute. The results of this program are reviewed. The program found that the hardness of the TCE was the most important variable influencing the quality of a TCE as measured by a bend test. Plate chemistry (carbon content), Charpy V-notch toughness, thermal cutting speed and plate temperature were also found important. A suggested technique for minimizing the variability in testing for TCE hardness, which utilizes localized grinding of the TCE location to be tested, is presented.