Understanding Impact Resistant Steel: Grades, Applications, and Material Selection for High-Stress Environments

In industries where materials are subjected to extreme mechanical forces — whether from machinery, falling objects, or sub-zero climates — impact resistant steel plays a critical role in ensuring structural integrity and long-term durability. This type of steel is engineered to withstand sudden shocks, repeated stress, and even brittle failure, making it indispensable in fields such as construction, mining, oil & gas, and mold tooling.

In this article, we’ll explore the different types and grades of impact resistant steel, explain their core properties, and help you decide which type of steel best suits your application. We’ll also take a close look at high impact resistant steel for structural use and impact resistant tool steel for mold and die production.

🔹 What Is Impact Resistant Steel?

Impact resistant steel refers to a category of high-strength steels specifically designed to absorb energy during sudden force or deformation without fracturing. These steels typically feature enhanced toughness, ductility, and hardness, making them capable of resisting cracks, dents, and catastrophic failure.

Unlike standard carbon steels, impact-resistant grades are often tested using Charpy V-Notch impact testing, which measures their ability to absorb energy at various temperatures (including as low as -20°C or even -50°C).

🔹 Why Use High Impact Resistant Steel?

Choosing high impact resistant steel is essential when components face:

• Heavy or cyclic loading (e.g., cranes, trucks, pipelines)
• Low-temperature environments (e.g., Arctic mining, refrigerated structures)
• Abrasion and wear risks (e.g., chute liners, digger buckets, molds)
• Safety-critical designs (e.g., bridge supports, lifting frames)

In these scenarios, conventional steel might deform or fracture, leading to expensive downtime or even catastrophic failure.

🔹 Key Grades of Impact Resistant Steel

Here are several recognized impact resistant steel grades, including both structural and tooling applications:

High Impact-Resistant Steel Plate: Structural Grades

Several structural steel grades are known for their high impact toughness:

A516 Grade 70

• Moderate strength with good impact resistance.
• Common in pressure vessels and welded tanks.

NM400/NM500

• Wear-resistant steels with good impact performance.
• Ideal for mining, construction, and material handling.
• Explore more details: NM400 NM500 product page

AR400/AR450

• Abrasion-resistant grades with decent toughness.
• Used in machinery subject to sliding or impact wear.
• AR400 / AR450 / AR500 Steel Plates

ASTM A709

• Bridge steel plate with excellent notch toughness, especially in low temperatures.
• Available in grades like A709 Grade 50W and HPS 70W.
• Learn more: ASTM A709 product page

5CrW2MoSiV

• A tool steel plate with exceptional wear and shock resistance.
• Designed for cold work tools operating under repeated impact.
• Explore the grade: 5CrW2MoSiV tool steel

Impact-Resistant Tool Steel: Toughness Meets Precision

Tool steels are designed not only for strength and hardness but also for the ability to resist repeated striking and pressure. Notable types include:

D2 / SKD11

• High carbon, high chromium tool steel.
• Wear-resistant, but may be brittle under severe shock.

H13

• A hot work tool steel that retains impact resistance at high temperatures.
• Common in die casting and extrusion.

S7

Used in tools like hammers, punches, and forming dies.

Specifically designed for impact resistance.

🔹 Impact Resistant Steel vs Standard Steel: What’s the Difference?

🔹 Applications Across Industries

Structural Engineering

In bridge supports, structural beams, and offshore installations, impact resistant steel plates can endure dynamic forces, including wind loads, vibrations, and vehicle movement. A typical example is ASTM A709 steel used for highway bridges.

Oil & Gas and Energy

Pipeline components and pressure vessels must survive both low temperatures and internal pressure surges, especially in arctic environments. High-impact steel is often used for:

• LNG tank shells
• Subsea manifolds
• Storage tank base plates

Tooling and Mold Manufacturing

Tool steel like 5CrW2MoSiV offers enhanced impact fatigue resistance, making it ideal for forging dies, extrusion tools, and cold heading dies that take thousands of cycles under intense load.

Mining and Heavy Equipment

Buckets, blade edges, dump truck liners, and hoppers require steel that resists both impact and abrasion. Here, NM500 plates provide long wear life while preventing sudden cracking.

🔹 How to Choose the Right Impact Resistant Steel Grade?

The selection depends on several key factors:

1. Operating temperature: Will the steel be used in cold weather or under heat?
2. Required hardness vs. ductility: Higher hardness may reduce impact toughness.
3. Weldability: Some grades require preheating or post-weld treatment.
4. Thickness and shape: Larger plates may behave differently than forged bars.
5. Corrosion exposure: In coastal or chemical environments, consider weathering steels.

🔹 More High Impact Resistant Steel Grades You Should Know

S7 Tool Steel

Shock-resistant with high toughness. Used for chisels, forming dies, and impact tools.

DC53 Tool Steel

A tougher, modified version of D2/SKD11, less prone to cracking.

42CrMo / 4140

Cr-Mo alloy with high strength and good impact resistance. Common in mechanical parts.

34CrNiMo6

High-performance steel for heavy-duty shafts, forgings, and cold conditions.

MIL-DTL-46100 / MIL-A-12560

Military armor steels. Extremely tough with ballistic resistance.

🔹 CJM’s Expertise in Supplying Impact Resistant Steel

At CJM Steel Group, we offer a wide selection of high impact resistant steel plates and tool steel with global export capabilities. Our inventory includes:

• Quenched and tempered plates for cold climates
• Precision tool steels for high-volume mold production
• Custom thicknesses and heat treatment upon request
• Certifications: EN, ASTM, GB/T, ISO

We help clients in mining, mold-making, infrastructure, and pressure vessel manufacturing choose the right impact resistant steel grades for their performance and budget needs.

📌 View our impact resistant plate range →

Conclusion

Selecting the right impact resistant steel isn’t just about strength—it’s about understanding the real-world forces your product will endure and choosing a steel grade that maintains toughness and safety under pressure. Whether you’re fabricating bridge decks, storage tanks, or high-load molds, working with the right material partner ensures reliability, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.

Looking for a trusted supplier of high impact resistant tool steel or structural plates for low temperature service?

📩 Contact CJM Steel Group today for a technical consultation and quotation.

WhatsApp: +86 181 9190 6640
Email: info@cjmstainlesssteel.com