Characterization test which analyzes the ability of a component to resist impact.
This mechanical test consists in impacting a sample (which can be with or without notch) through the use of hammers and pendulums with defined weights, therefore characteristic potential energy, which allow to calculate the resilience of the material, i.e. the ability to store energy in the elastic range, before activating the break.
The specimen may not break, so the test would be positive, or it may break and result in a certain impact energy, i.e. resilience. The higher the resilience, the more impact resistant the material will be. Furthermore, it is possible to characterize the material as ductile or brittle, based on the mode in which failure occurs.
This type of test is quite simple and is often required in the characterization of plastic materials and in the technical data sheets of commercial products.
The laboratory can perform the test according to international standards ISO 179 (Charpy method) and ISO 180 (Izod method).
