Minimum wall thickness requirement
The minimum wall thickness requirement specifies how thick a steel plate must be to avoid deformation during indentation. A typical rule is at least three times the indentation depth.
Physico-chemical mechanism of action
The minimum wall thickness requirement refers to the ratio between the sheet thickness and the depth of the indentation. If the sheet is too thin, mechanical forces during indentation can deform or even pierce the backside.
Metallurgical relevance & risks in welding
A steel sheet that is too thin can suffer deformation or cracking during indentations. This leads to an uneven weld seam and increases the likelihood of hot cracks or fractures. Furthermore, deformation can impair the structure, reducing the material's mechanical properties.
Workshop practice & instructions
To ensure no deformation occurs, the sheet thickness should be at least three times the indentation depth. For example: with an indentation depth of 5 mm, the steel sheet must be at least 15 mm thick. This dimension protects against deformation and ensures a clean weld.