Charpy-Izod Impact Tester and Its Importance

Determining the impact strength of materials is essential, particularly for plastics, composites, and polymer-based products used in engineering applications. Impact resistance reflects how a material behaves when subjected to sudden loads and whether it can withstand fracture. The Plastics Impact Strength Charpy Testing Machine is designed to evaluate these properties in laboratory and industrial environments. It is a critical instrument for quality control, research and development, and ensuring compliance with international standards.

Main Purpose of the Device

The primary function of the machine is to measure the fracture energy of plastic and similar materials under sudden impact conditions. The test results, expressed according to international standards, provide reliable data on product durability, service life, and safety performance.

What Are Charpy and Izod Tests?

  • Charpy Impact Test: In this method, a notched specimen is supported horizontally and struck in the center by a pendulum hammer. It is particularly useful for evaluating whether a material behaves in a brittle or ductile manner.

  • Izod Impact Test: Here, the specimen is clamped vertically, and the pendulum strikes from the top. This test is widely applied to plastics and polymers to determine their resistance to sudden impacts.

Both tests complement each other by providing insight into material performance under different impact conditions.

Importance and Objective of the Test

Charpy and Izod tests are conducted to:

  • Ensure product safety and reliability.

  • Guide engineers and designers in material selection.

  • Strengthen quality control during manufacturing.

  • Provide compliance with international certification and export requirements.

Scientific Basis of the Test

The principle of the test lies in the transfer of kinetic energy from the pendulum to the specimen and measuring how much of this energy is absorbed during fracture. The absorbed energy is a direct measure of the material’s impact strength, providing insights into ductility, brittleness, and energy absorption capacity.

Operation of the Machine

The device allows operators to select test parameters via a touch-screen interface. Users can choose the test type (Charpy or Izod), hammer configuration, and specimen properties before initiating the test. After completion, the system reports key results such as absorbed energy, impact strength, mean values, and standard deviation.

Technical Features

Equipped with precise measurement systems, the machine ensures accurate and repeatable results. The pendulum and hammer mechanism are designed to deliver controlled energy transfer. Advanced software processes the test data and generates user-friendly reports, enabling compliance with global standards.

Advantages

  • Technical Advantages: Provides high accuracy and repeatability, with multiple hammer options for different materials.

  • Contribution to Quality Control: Detects product weaknesses during production, ensuring only reliable products reach the market.

  • Support for Certification and Export: Facilitates compliance with international standards, easing market acceptance worldwide.

Application Areas

  • Plastics and polymer industry

  • Composite material production

  • Automotive, aerospace, and household appliances

  • Footwear and wood-based product industries

  • Universities and research laboratories

These applications highlight the versatility of the tester in both product development and quality assurance.

Relevant Standards

  • ISO 179-1: Specifies Charpy impact testing methods for plastics, including notched and unnotched specimens.

  • ISO 179-2: Describes Charpy impact testing of notched plastic specimens under varying test conditions.

  • ASTM D6110: American standard for determining the Charpy impact resistance of notched plastic specimens, widely used for engineering plastics.

Conclusion

The Plastics Impact Strength Charpy Testing Machine provides a reliable and standardized approach for determining material impact resistance. Its precision, adaptability to various testing conditions, and compliance with international standards make it indispensable for quality control, R&D, and certification processes. In plastics and polymer industries, the machine plays a vital role in ensuring durability, safety, and global competitiveness.