Cutting tests
A beautifully cut steel plate is one thing. But does your cutting process also meet the required standards? For companies that thermally cut steel, EN 1090-2 sets requirements for thermally cut surfaces. With cutting tests from MT Veendam, you demonstrate the quality of your cutting work and meet the requirements for your EN 1090 certification.
What are cutting tests?
Cutting tests are standardised checks used to assess the quality of thermally cut surfaces. Thermal cutting of steel, such as oxy-fuel, plasma or laser cutting, releases a great deal of heat. That heat affects the properties of the material around the cut edge. For example, a locally increased hardness can occur, and this is not visible to the naked eye.
ISO 9013 describes how the geometrical quality of cut edges is assessed. In addition, depending on the application, EN 1090-2 sets requirements for the hardness of thermally cut surfaces.
Why are cutting tests important?
Excessive hardness at the cut edge can make the material more susceptible to cracking, especially if the material is later welded or further processed. Cutting tests are therefore essential for:
- Quality assurance: you have measurement results with which you demonstrate the quality of your cutting process.
- EN 1090 certification: the results support your certification for steel structures.
- Periodic monitoring: also as an interim check of whether your cutting process still stays within the tolerances.
- Error prevention: deviations are discovered before the material is further processed and causes problems in the structure.
What do we measure in a cutting test?
With cutting tests, we not only look at the finish of the cut edge, but also at what has happened to the material. To that end, we look at aspects including:
- Squareness: how precisely does the cut edge run relative to the plate surface? Squareness measurements are performed according to NEN-EN 1090.
- Roughness: how smooth or rough is the cut surface?
- Hardness: has the material become locally too hard due to the heat input of the cutting process? Our hardness measurements provide clarity on this.
Why MT Veendam?
- 20+ years of experience in materials testing and cutting tests
- Accredited according to EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (L647)
- Fast handling times and competitive rates
- Proactive advice about required measurements
- Independent testing laboratory with a personal approach
How we do cutting tests
Our process for doing cutting tests consists of several steps:
- Intake: we are happy to think along with you about which measurements your situation requires, depending on the application and the requirements of EN 1090-2 and ISO 9013.
- Sampling: we tell you in advance which samples we need and at which locations the measurements must be taken.
- Testing: we carry out the measurements in our accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025, L647).
- Reporting: you receive a clear report with measurement results that you can use directly for your quality assurance and certification.
All in all, the entire cutting test can often be completed within a few working days.
Request cutting tests
Do you need cutting tests for your EN 1090 certification or a periodic check of your cutting process? Contact MT Veendam. Our accredited laboratory in Veendam is ready to assist you.