Understanding Charpy
V-Notch Testing
Principles, practices, and techniques of
fracture impact toughness testing are
discussed
I
n oil and gas applications where pip-
ing weldments are subjected to ex-
treme environments such as bitter
cold, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), seismic
activities, and high operating pres-
sures, welds capable of exhibiting ele-
vated impact toughness properties are
critical. To attain Charpy V-notch
(CVN) impact toughness performance,
specific fundamental welding engi-
neering principles, practices, and tech-
niques must be adhered to — Fig. 1.
Brittle fractures of numerous weld-
ed joint steel connections as the result
of devastating earthquake activity in
Northridge, Calif., and Kobe, Japan, in
the 1990s greatly amplified the aware-
ness for material notch toughness
where dynamic loading of a weldment
is a design condition. Presently, notch
toughness design and testing criteria
are written within weld codes, stan-
Fig. 1 — Orbital 5G gas tungsten arc pipe welding (cold wire): PQR pipe qualifications of 20-in. OD × 2-in. wall thickness, P-No. 5A,
2.25% Cr-1% Mo alloy. Heat-input: Nominal 35 kJ/in. (1.37 kJ/mm).
46 WELDING JOURNAL / DECEMBER 2018
dards, and engineering publications
such as those from AWS, ASME, API,
ASTM, and ISO. In the qualification of
a project Procedure Qualification
Record (PQR), an Engineering Author-
ity often stipulates CVN testing. This
article highlights CVN impact tough-
ness testing and welding engineering
principles, practices, and techniques
encountered in the arc welding of
high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels.
Fracture Definitions
Prior to proceeding, it is important
to review key fracture definitions:
• Toughness is the ability of a material
to deform plastically and to absorb
energy before fracturing.
• Notch toughness is the ability of a
base material alloy or weld filler
metal to absorb energy in the
BY WILLIAM C. LAPLANTE
presence of a stress riser such as a
weld defect or a sharp edge.
With a stress riser/notch
present, a material will exhibit
decreased fracture toughness as well
as fatigue strength and/or life. De-
burring/blending of weld toes after
welding is recommended.
• A brittle (cleavage) mode fracture is
catastrophic and occurs suddenly.
The fracture will propagate through-
out a material (i.e., transgranular or
intergranular) at a high rate of
speed. A brittle fracture occurs with
little to no warning and with low
energy absorption. Also, there is
little to no appreciable material
plastic deformation exhibited at the
fracture (e.g., no lateral expansion,
etc.).
• A ductile (shear) mode fracture
occurs with increased levels of

Fig. 2 — A Charpy impact testing machine with the pendulum in the raised position.
The pendulum is released to swing down and strike a notched specimen mounted in
the machine fixture.
material plastic deformation. In
addition, the material exhibits in-
creased levels of energy absorption
prior to fracture.
• A mixed mode fracture is a combina-
tion of both brittle and ductile
fracture characteristics.
CVN Impact Toughness
Testing
In essence, the CVN test brings out
the notch behavior of a material (i.e.,
brittleness vs. ductility). Charpy V-
notch testing involves impacting a
full- or subsize notched specimen with
a controlled weight pendulum swung
from a set height — Fig. 2. A full-size
CVN specimen is 55 mm long × 10
mm2 with a machined 2-mm-deep V-
notch with a 0.25-mm tip radius —
Fig. 3 — CVN test specimen sizes per ASTM A370: Type A notch geometry. Precision
machining of the notch tip radius is critical.
Fig. 3. The notched specimen is placed
in a fixture; a pendulum arm then
strikes the opposite side of the notch.
The amount of energy absorbed in
fracturing the specimen is measured in
foot-pounds (ft-lb) or Joules (J) indi-
cating the notch toughness of the ma-
terial. CVN testing indicates whether
the metal fracture is brittle, ductile, or
somewhere in between (mixed mode).
For a body-centered-cubic (bcc), HSLA
steel that exhibits a ductile-to-brittle
transition temperature, this informa-
tion is important. During impact test-
ing, a brittle metal will absorb a de-
creased amount of impact energy,
while a more ductile metal absorbs an
increased amount of energy. The sur-
face morphology of the fracture pro-
vides information about the fracture
type: a brittle fracture (cleavage frac-
ture) is shiny/bright and crystalline,
DECEMBER 2018 / WELDING JOURNAL 47
whereas a ductile fracture (shear frac-
ture) is dull, fibrous, and rough in
texture.
Specimen Location and
Microstructure
The positioning of full- or subsize
CVN specimens within a weld is ex-
tremely important relative to speci-
men location and notch orientation.
For example, in a HSLA steel, the low-
est impact values are typically found
close to the fusion boundary as the re-
sult of grain growth/coarse grains. To
optimize toughness performance, the
goal during PQR qualification is to ob-
tain a high-volume fraction of acicular
ferrite. An acicular ferrite weld metal
microstructure possesses tortuous
grain boundary paths that resist crack
propagation. An acicular ferrite mi-
crostructure provides the optimal
combination of strength and tough-
ness. However, in practice, inhomo-
geneity exists in weld beads where
coarse- and fine-grained areas alter-
nate. The poorest CVN properties are
to be anticipated where the ratio of
coarse to fine grains is greater. The
specimen notch determines the direc-
tion of fracture/crack propagation
while fracture behavior and orienta-
tion of the notch (transverse vs. longi-
tudinal) are interrelated. Characteristi-
cally, a specimen is positioned such
that its notch is at the weld metal cen-
terline, weld interface, weld interface +
2 mm, etc. Also, specimens may be
taken from the weld joint at different
thickness (T) levels to better evaluate
the overall toughness properties of the
weld (e.g., T/2, T/4).
Interpretation of
Test Results
After notched test specimens have
been broken, a visual determination of
percent shear fracture of the fractured
surfaces is determined per ASTM
E23/A370 — Fig. 4. Evaluating the
fractured surfaces of broken speci-
mens is subjective and based upon the
experience and knowledge of the eval-
uator. Computer software/digital im-
aging technology is also available, but
many testing laboratories still perform
visual examination. A notch fracture
surface appearance chart and percent
shear fracture comparator illustration
can be found in ASTM A370. The chart
 Fig. 4 — Fractured full-size specimens and one subsize specimen (far right) for visual determination of percent shear fracture.
Note the surface roughness and lateral expansion indicating material ductility. Test temperature: –50°F/–46°C. Base alloy: API 5L
X52 pipe. Process: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) with E8018-C3H4R electrodes. Notch location: Transverse weld metal cen-
terline. Impact energy: Nominal ≥ 71 ft-lb (96 J). Percent shear: Nominal ≥ 95%.

provides a visual guideline for evaluat-
ing a fractured surface. In addition,
there is lateral expansion, which is a
measure of the test specimen’s ductili-
ty. When a ductile metal fractures,
the material is deformed. In CVN test-
ing, material is forced out from the
striking/compression side — Fig. 5.
The amount of specimen deformation
is measured (mils/millimeters) and is
expressed as lateral expansion. As the
ductility of a material increases, lateral
expansion increases and vice versa.
Note that CVN test results are qual-
itative only. That is, test results can
only be compared with each other or
with a specific requirement within a
code/standard or an Engineering
Authority’s specification. Charpy
V-notch test results cannot be utilized
to calculate the fracture toughness of a
weld or base metal. Test information is
available per ASTM E23, ASTM A370,
ASTM E1820, AWS B4.0, ISO 148, etc.
Optimizing CVN Impact
Toughness Performance
The impact toughness performance
Fig. 5 — Measuring lateral expansion on a full-size CVN test specimen. Lateral ex-
pansion is the increase in specimen width as measured (mils/millimeters) on the
opposite side of the notch, on the striking/compression side (see Fig. 2). Lateral ex-
pansion is the addition of dimensions “a” and “b.”
of a weld metal is dependent upon its
microstructure, which is dependent
upon the weld metal’s chemical com-
position and the weld parameters em-
ployed. Achieving a microstructure
with a high-volume fraction of fine-
grained acicular ferrite is important.
For oil and gas projects, NACE stan-
dards (MR0175, MR0103, etc.) are ref-
erenced by an Engineering Authority
in the selection of an appropriate base
metal for the application. Therefore,
based upon the selected base metal,
diligent consideration must be placed
on meeting NACE requirements and in
selection of a weld filler metal chem-
istry and welding parameters that op-
timize CVN impact toughness per-
formance to meet stringent weldment
design and service conditions.
CVN Welding Engineering
Principles
The following are key CVN welding
engineering principles employed to
optimize impact toughness perform-
ance. This article does not address all
CVN welding engineering principles.
1. Control/minimize heat-input
through the following:
a. Employ pulsed welding. Mini-
mize welding parameters to achieve
complete fusion.
b. Utilize stringer weld beads.
This results in decreased heat input
and increased cooling rates to mitigate
grain growth — Fig. 6. Finer grains
have a greater ratio of grain boundary
surface area to volume to resist dislo-
cations. Stringer weld beads provide
increased tempering/coarse-grain
refinement of previously deposited
weld beads.
c. Minimize the weld pool size.
Thinner weld bead deposits are better
than thicker ones. For instance, multi-
ple stringer weld beads are better than
one large weld bead. For complete
joint penetration welds, a split
stringer weld bead technique encour-
ages competitive grain growth, a posi-
tive metallurgical condition. Optimize
the wire feed rate, travel speed, amper-
age, etc., to control the weld pool size
and deposition profile especially for
in-situ applications, such as pipe
welding.
d. Attain proper weld joint fitup
and avoid overwelding.
e. Minimize weld joint volume
via narrow groove or compound
bevel weld joint designs.
f. Avoid performing “wash”
weld bead passes to increase weld
bead visual aesthetics.
g. Mitigate utilization of strip-
ping weld beads to flush out and
even out weld bead layers.
2. Weld filler metal cleanliness
is crucial. Employ pedigree weld filler
metal alloys to optimize weld metal
impact toughness performance. Argon
oxygen decarburization/vacuum in-
duction melting processed weld filler
metals are recommended. Calculate

48 WELDING JOURNAL / DECEMBER 2018

 Fig. 6 — Orbital 5G gas tungsten arc pipe welding (cold wire). Left: Interpass weld beads. Right: Cap/cover pass.
the Bruscato X-factor for weld filler
metals (e.g., ≤ 12 ppm tramp elements
such as P, Sb, Sn, and As). Intermetal-
lic compounds, nonmetallic inclusions,
and other impurity constituents that
may form or precipitate at grain
boundaries reduce toughness, espe-
cially as the temperature decreases.
3. Base metal dilution decreases
the homogeneous mechanical
properties of the weld filler metal
where impact toughness of the
weld metal decreases (e.g., root
weld). Also, dilution/intermixing when
employing different filler metals when
welding influences overall weld metal
mechanical properties and CVN
performance.
4. Control the cooling rate of
the weld joint. Cooling rate is a char-
acteristic determinant of the weld
joint properties. It is based on thermal
diffusivity, heat input, heat sink, and
preheat and interpass temperatures.
High heat input levels result in slower
cooling rates and coarser grains,
whereas lower heat input levels in-
crease the cooling rate to achieve finer
grains. Be cognizant of the carbon
equivalent and the carbon content of
the base metal. Understand the as-
deposited weld metal microstructure,
and the potential for untempered
martensite and hydrogen-induced
cracking.
5. Maintain shielding/backing/
trailing gas purity and coverage
integrity. Oxygen is detrimental to
toughness because oxide inclusions
provide initiation sites for void forma-
tion and serve as fracture initiation
points. Shielding gas can directly in-
fluence the strength, ductility, and
toughness as well as the corrosion re-
sistance of a weld. For instance, adding
oxygen or carbon dioxide to a shield-
ing gas increases its oxidation poten-
tial. In general, for a given weld filler
metal, the higher the shielding gas oxi-
dation potential, the lower the
strength and toughness of the weld
metal.
6. Increase the basicity of sub-
merged arc welding flux and
shielded metal arc welding
(SMAW) electrode coatings (low
hydrogen type). Basic fluxes and
electrodes are beneficial for low-alloy
steel welding due to decreased
amounts of oxygen in the weld metal
deposit. An increase in the weld metal
oxygen content leads to increased in-
clusion size and volume fraction, re-
sulting in decreased toughness. As the
basicity index increases, toughness in-
creases and vice versa.
7. Monitor weld and heat-affect-
ed zone (HAZ) hardness. As hard-
ness decreases, toughness increases
and vice versa.
DECEMBER 2018 / WELDING JOURNAL 49
8. Strictly adhere to proper pre-
heat, interpass temperature, and
postweld heat treatment control/
monitoring.
9. Hot-wire gas tungsten arc
welding (GTAW) contributes to
heat input. Decrease the primary
weld amperage accordingly to compen-
sate for the hot-wire amperage.
10. Employ an external gas-
shielded flux cored arc welding
(FCAW) filler metal as opposed to
a self-shielding FCAW filler metal
to increase CVN performance.
11. For structural plate welding,
know the plate rolling direction
such that CVN test specimens are
taken parallel to the plate rolling
direction. Thereby, testing is con-
ducted across the “grain” of the mate-
rial, which will increase toughness (an
anisotropic characteristic).
Effective Weld Practices
and Techniques
An increased number and size of
oxide inclusions compromises tough-
ness. The following practices and tech-
niques augment key CVN welding en-
gineering principles relative to miti-
gating oxide inclusions employing
GTAW and plasma arc welding
processes:
 Fig. 7 — CVN impact toughness exemplified: A nonthrough-thickness fracture. This shows a full-size CVN specimen at a test tem-
perature of –50°F/–46°C. Base alloy: API 5L X52 pipe. Process: SMAW with E8018-C3H4R electrodes. Notch location: Transverse
weld metal centerline.
a. Utilize Scotch-Brite™/emery
cloth individual manual weld filler
metal rods prior to use to prevent or
mitigate oxides and other contami-
nants from entering the weld pool.
b. Watch for oxide “floaters” about
the periphery of the weld pool surface
during welding. Remove solidified ox-
ide floaters during interpass cleaning
by diligent skim grinding.
c. Snip off oxidized rod tip ends af-
ter use. To prevent/mitigate rod tip
oxidization, keep the weld rod tip pro-
tected by the shielding gas during
welding.
d. Employ proper welding tech-
niques and multiple gas cup sizes that
are as large as possible to protect the
weld pool from atmospheric exposure.
Custom grind gas shielding cup(s) to
fit the contour of the weld joint geom-
etry to provide increased shielding gas
coverage effectiveness during butt
joint groove welding applications.
e. Employ a gas lens and correct
shielding gas flow rates. Be mindful of
gas purity, gas connection leaks, gas
distribution line or hose leaks, and
trailing shielding gas coverage.
f. Mechanically clean and solvent
clean wipe the pipe OD/ID weld joint
adjacent to welding.
g. Ensure orbital weld filler metal
meets cleanliness requirements. Calcu-
late the Bruscato X-factor and utilize
AOD/VIM processed weld filler metals.
h. For pipe welding, as the oxygen
content within the purge/backing gas
decreases, root weld pool fusion char-
acteristics increases, and HAZ oxida-
tion and potential weld pool oxide in-
clusions decreases.
50 WELDING JOURNAL / DECEMBER 2018
Summary
Weld fracture mechanics is a com-
plex field of study involving metallur-
gical, welding, and mechanical engi-
neering sciences. During arc welding
of HSLA steels, adherence to CVN
welding engineering principles, prac-
tices, and techniques optimizes
notched, impact toughness perform-
ance — Fig. 7. WJ
Acknowledgments
The author wishes to thank Christo-
pher Grass, Quality Inspection & Test-
ing Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska, for provid-
ing CVN specimens and facility access.
Works Consulted
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WILLIAM C. LAPLANTE (wlaplante.cwi@
gmail.com) is a welding engineer and an
AWS CWI, CWE, in Anchorage, Alaska.