GOST 9454-78 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 9454-78 — Metals. Method for testing the impact strength at low, room and high temperature. This USSR state standard specifies Charpy-type impact-bending tests for ferrous and non‑ferrous metals and alloys across a wide temperature range and includes specimen forms, notch types and measurement procedures.

Abstract

GOST 9454-78 defines a standardized method to determine absorbed impact energy and impact toughness by breaking notched specimens with a pendulum hammer. The method covers testing at temperatures from −100 °C up to +1200 °C, specimen geometries (U, V and fatigue-crack T types), preparation, measurement tolerances and calculation of impact toughness. The procedure is aligned with contemporary ISO Charpy standards.

General information

• Status: Effective (limitation of validity removed by decision of the Interstate Council in 1993); historically a national (USSR) standard later maintained in the CIS standards corpus.
• Publication date: Approved 17 April 1978; date of introduction 1 January 1979.
• Publisher: State Committee for Standards of the Council of Ministers of the USSR (Gosstandart of the USSR).
• ICS / categories: Metallurgy — Testing of metals; mechanical testing of metals (ICS 77.040.10).
• Edition / version: Original issue 1978 (with Amendments No.1, 2); reissue (republished) in October 1993 with amendments noted.
• Number of pages: 12 (PDF edition).

Scope

This standard applies to ferrous and non‑ferrous metals and alloys. It establishes the Charpy-type impact-bending test procedure for temperatures from −100 °C to +1200 °C, including specimen selection and preparation, notch forms, test machine requirements, test execution, result calculation (absorbed energy and impact toughness) and reporting. The method is intended for laboratory testing, quality control and materials research where temperature-dependent toughness is required.

Key topics and requirements

• Specimen shapes and dimensions for multiple notch types (U, V, T) and a table of permitted sizes and tolerances.
• Temperature conditioning of specimens and permissible temperature range (−100 °C to +1200 °C).
• Test machine and pendulum energy classes (verification and calibration guidance consistent with Charpy verification practices).
• Calculation of absorbed energy (work of the impact) and conversion to impact toughness (energy per unit area), including rounding and measurement accuracy rules.
• Requirements for sampling, orientation, surface condition and limits on surface defects at the notch.

Core measurement and machine verification concepts follow the international Charpy practice (ISO Charpy series).

Typical use and users

Used by materials testing laboratories, metallurgical manufacturers, quality and inspection units (steelworks, foundries, pipe manufacturers), research institutes and certification bodies to assess impact toughness and temperature-dependent brittle/ductile behaviour of metals and welds. It is commonly applied for product qualification, failure investigations and design verification where impact performance at different service temperatures is critical.

Related standards

Closely related to ISO Charpy standards (ISO 83, ISO 148‑1 and ISO 148‑2) and other national Charpy/impact-test methods. GOST 9454-78 replaced earlier USSR documents (GOST 9454‑60, 9455‑60, 9456‑60). A modernized interstate revision (GOST 9454-2025) has been prepared to replace the 1978 edition (official orders indicate the new standard introduced by Rosstandart in 2025 with planned entry into force in 2026).

Keywords

Charpy, impact test, impact toughness, absorbed energy, pendulum impact, notch, U-notch, V-notch, fatigue‑crack specimen, temperature conditioning, metallurgy, GOST 9454-78.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 9454-78 is the USSR national standard that sets out the Charpy-type impact‑bending method for determining absorbed impact energy and impact toughness of metals over a wide temperature range.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen forms and dimensions, notch types (U, V and fatigue-crack T), test-machine energy classes and verification, conditioning of specimens at specified temperatures (−100 °C to +1200 °C), measurement procedures, calculations of impact energy and impact toughness, and reporting rules.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials test laboratories, metallurgical producers, weld and pipeline inspectors, certification bodies and research organizations concerned with toughness and brittle‑to‑ductile transition behaviour of metals.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Historically the standard has been effective since approval in 1978 (introduced 1 Jan 1979) and its limitation of validity was removed in 1993. National practice has for many years referenced ISO Charpy documents in parallel. A modern interstate replacement standard, GOST 9454-2025, has been prepared and officially published in 2025 with a stated date of entry into force of 1 May 2026 (this new edition is intended to replace GOST 9454-78). Check the issuing national standards body for the exact current status and the effective date in your jurisdiction.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the family of Charpy/impact-test standards and replaces earlier USSR documents on impact testing; it is coordinated with ISO Charpy standards (ISO 83 and ISO 148 series).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Charpy, impact test, impact toughness, absorbed energy, pendulum, notch, temperature, metallurgy, GOST.