Izod/Charpy Impact Tester: Operating Manual
Izod/Charpy Impact Tester: Operating Manual
Izod/Charpy Impact Tester: Operating Manual
OPERATING
MANUAL
IZOD/CHARPY IMPACT TESTER
IZOD AS PER ASTM D‐256
CHARPY AS PER ASTM D‐6110
ADVANCE EQUIPMENTS
Shankar Ind. Estate No.1,
Near Pimpleshwar Hotel, Kalyan Shil Road,
MIDC Phase ‐II, Sonarpada, Dombivali (E)
Dist. Thane‐421204.
India
TEL: +91‐251‐2874696
MOBILE: +91‐9820351166/9969168109
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.advanceequipments.in; www.polymertestingequipments.co.in
Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the resistance breakage by flexural shock of plastics and
electrical insulating materials, as indicated by the energy extracted from "standardized" (Note 1)
pendulum‐type hammers,
mounted in "standardized" machines, in breaking standard specimens with one pendulum swing. The
standard tests for these methods require specimens made with a milled notch (Note 2). In the Charpy
(Method B) and Izod (Method A, C and D) tests, the notch produces a stress concentration which
promotes a brittle, rather than a ductile, fracture. In
Method E, the unnotched impact strength is obtained by reversing the position in the vise of a notched
specimen (Note 20). The results of all tests are reported in terms of energy absorbed per unit of
specimen width.
NOTE 1 ‐‐ The machines with their pendulum‐type hammers have been "standardized"in that they must comply
with certain requirements, including a fixed height of hammer fall which results in a substantially fixed velocity of
the hammer at the moment of impact. However, besides the fact that the designs of machines for use with
Methods A and B (see Section3) must be somewhat different, hammers of different initial (produced by varying
their effective weights) are recommended because with specimens of different impact strengths. Moreover,
manufacturers of the equipment are permitted to use different lengths and constructions of pendulums (with
resulting possible differences in pendulum rigidities (see Section 4), plus other differences in machine design. The
specimens are "standardized" in that they are required to have either one of two fixed lengths (Methods A and B),
one fixed depth and one particular design of milled notch. The width of the specimens is permitted to vary
between limits.
NOTE 2 ‐‐ The notch in the Izod specimen serves to concentrate the stress, minimize plastic deformation, and
direct the fracture to the part of the specimen behind the notch. Scatter in energy‐to‐break is thus reduced.
However, because of differences in the elastic and visco‐elastic properties of plastics, response to a given notch
varies among materials. A measure of a plastic's "notch sensitivity" may be obtained with Method D by comparing
the energies to break specimens with identical notches, except for the radius at the base of the notch.
NOTE 3 ‐‐ Caution must be exercised in interpreting the results of these standard test methods. The following
testing parameters may affect test results significantly:
Method of fabrication, including but not limited to processing technology, molding conditions, mold design, and
thermal treatments ;
Method of notching;
Speed of notching tool;
Design of notching apparatus;
Quality of the notch;
Time between notching and test;
Test specimen thickness,
Test specimen width under notch, And
Environmental conditioning.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values
stated in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 4 ‐‐ These test methods resemble ISO 180:1993 in regard to title only. The contents are significantly
different.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standard:
D 618 Methods of Conditioning Plastic and Electrical Insulating Materials for Testing.
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D 3641 Practice for Injection Molding Test Specimens of Thermoplastics Molding Extrusion Materials.
D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials.
D 4066 Specification for Nylon Injection and Extrusion Materials (PA).
D 4812 Test Methods for Unnoticed Cantilever Beam Impact Strength of Plastics.
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Inter‐laboratory Test Program to Determine the Precision of Test Methods.
2.2 ISO Standard :
ISO 180:1993 Plastics ‐‐ Determination of Izod Impact Strength of Rigid Material.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions ‐ For definitions related to plastics see Terminology D 883.
3.2 Description of Terms Specific to This Standard :
3.2.1 cantilever ‐ a projecting beam clamped at only one end.
3.2.2 Notch sensivity ‐ a measure of the variation of impact energy as a function of notch radius.
4. Types of Tests.
4.1 Four similar methods are presented in these test methods. (See Note 5) All test methods use the same testing
machine and specimen dimensions. There is no known means for correlating the results from the different test
methods.
NOTE 5 ‐‐ Test method B for Charpy has been removed and is being revised under a new standard.
4.1.1 In Method A (Izod type) the specimen is held as a vertical cantilever beam and is broken by a single swing of the
pendulum with the line of initial contact at a fixed distance from the specimen clamp and from the center‐line of the
notch and on the same face as the notch.
4.1.2 Method C is the same as Method A but includes a determination of the energy expended in tossing a portion of the
specimen. The value reported is called the "estimated net Izod impact resistance." Method C is preferred over
Method A for materials that have an Izod Impact strength of less than 27J/m of notch (0.5 ft.lbf/in. under notch). The
differences between Methods A and C become unimportant for materials that have an Izod impact strength higher
than this value.
4.1.3 Method D provides a measure of the notch sensitivity of a material. The stress‐concentration at the notch increases
with decreasing radius.
4.1.3.1 For a given system, greater stress concentration results in higher local rates‐
of‐strain. Since the effect of strain‐rate on energy‐to‐break varies among materials, a measure of this effect may be
obtained by testing specimens with different notch radii. In the Izod‐type test it has been demonstrated that the
function, energy‐to‐break versus notch radius, is reasonably linear from a radius of 0.03 to 2.5mm (0.001 to 0.100 in.),
provided that all specimens have the same type of break (see 5.8 and 22.1).
4.1.3.2 For the purpose this test, the slope, b, (see22.1) of the line between radii
of 0. 25 and 1.0mm (0.010 and 0.040 in.) is used unless tests with the 1.0mm radius give "non‐break"results. In that
case, 0.25 and 0.50mm (0.010 and 0.020 in.) radii may be used. The effect of notch radius on the impact energy to
break a specimen under the conditions of this test is measured by the value b. Materials with low values of b,
whether high or low energy to break with the standard notch, are relatively insensitive to differences in notch radius:
while the energy to break materials with high values of b is highly dependent on notch radius. The parameter b
cannot be used in design calculations but may serve as a guide to the designer and in selection of materials.
4.4 Method E is the reversed notch test and is used to give an indication of the
Un‐notched impact strength of plastics. It is similar to Method A, except that the vise of the machine 180deg. to the
usual striking position, such that the striker of the apparatus impacts the specimen on the face opposite the notch.
Test Method E is used to given an indication of the unnotch impact resistance of plastics; however results obtained by
the reversed notch method may not always agree with those obtained on a completely unnotched specimen.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Before proceeding with these test methods, reference should be made to the specification of the material being
tested. Any test specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions and testing parameters covered in the materials
specification shall take precedence over those mentioned in these test methods. If there is no material specification,
then the default conditions apply.
5.2 The excess energy pendulum impact test indicates the energy to break standard test specimens of specified size
under stipulated conditions of specimen mounting, notching (stress concentration), and pendulum velocity at impact.
5.3 The energy lost by the pendulum during the breakage of the specimen is the
sum of the energies requires (1) Energy to initiate fracture of the specimen, (2) Energy to propagate the fracture
across the specimen, (3) Energy to throw the free end (or ends) of the broken specimen ("toss correction"),
(4) Energy to bend the specimen, (5) Energy to produce vibration in the pendulum arm, (6) Energy to produce
vibration or horizontal movement of the machine frame or base, (7) Energy to overcome friction in the pendulum
bearing and in the excess energy indicating mechanism, and to overcome windage (pendulum air drag), (8) Energy to
indent or deform plastically the specimen at the line of impact, and (9) Energy to overcome the friction caused by the
rubbing of the striking nose (or other part of the pendulum) over the face of the bent specimen.
5.4 For relatively brittle materials for which fracture propagation energy, the indicated impact energy absorbed is, for all
practical purposes, the sum of factors (1) and (3) of 4.2. The toss correction (3) may represent a very large fraction of
the total energy absorbed when testing relatively dense and brittle materials. Method C shall be used for materials
that have an Izod impact strength of less than 27 J/m of notch (0.5 ft.lbf/in. of notch). The toss correction obtained in
Method C is only an approximation of the toss error, since the rotational and rectillinear velocities may not be the
same during the retoss of the specimen as for the original toss, and because stored stresses in the specimen may
have been released as kinetic energy during the specimen fracture.
5.4.1 For tough, ductile, fiber filled, or cloth laminated materials, the fracture propagation energy (2) may be large
compared to the fracture initiation energy (1). When testing these materials, factors (2), (5), and (9) can become
quite significant, even when the specimen is accurately machined significant, even when the specimen is accurately
machined and positioned and the machine is in good condition with adequate capacity (Note 3). Bending (4) and
indentation losses (8) may be appreciable when testing soft materials.
NOTE 6 ‐‐ Although the frame and base of the machine should be sufficiently rigid and massive to handle the energies of tough
specimens without motion or excessive vibration, the pendulum arm can not be made very massive because the greater part of
its mass must be concentrated near its center of percussion at the striking nose. Locating the striking nose precisely at the
center of percussion reduces vibration of the pendulum arm when used with brittle specimens. However, some losses due to
pendulum arm vibration, the amount varying with the design of the pendulum, will occur with tough specimens even when the
striking nose is properly positioned.
5.5 In a well‐designed machine of sufficient rigidity and mass the losses due to (6) and (7) should be very small.
Vibrational losses (6) can be quite large when wide specimens of tough materials are tested in machines of
insufficient mass, not securely fastened to a heavy base.
5.6 With some materials, a critical width of specimen may be found below which specimens will appear ductile, as
evidenced by considerable drawing or necking down in the region behind the notch and by a relatively high energy
absorption, and above which they will appear brittle as evidenced by little or no drawing down or necking and by a
relatively low energy absorption. Since these test methods permit a variation in the width of the specimens and the
width dictates for many materials whether a brittle, low‐ energy break or ductile, high energy, break will occur, it is
necessary that the width be stated in the ASTM specification covering that material and that the width be stated
along with the impact value. In view of the preceding, one should not make comparisons between data from
specimens having widths that differ by more than a few mils.
5.7 The standard Methods A,C,D and E require that the type of failure for each specimen be recorded as one of the four
Coded categories defined as follows:
C complete break ‐ a break in which the specimen separates into two or more pieces.
H hinge break ‐ an incomplete break such that one part of the specimen cannot support itself above the
horizontal when the other part is held vertically (less than 90deg. included angle).
P partial break ‐ an incomplete break that does not meet the definition for a hinge break but has fractured at
least 90% of the distance between the vertex of the notch and the opposite side.
NB non‐break ‐ an incomplete break where the fracture extends less than 90% of the distance between the
vertex of the notch and the opposite side.
For tough materials, the pendulum may not have the energy necessary to complete the breaking of the extreme
fibers and toss the broken piece or pieces. Results obtained from "non‐break" specimens in Methods A,C, and E and
for other than "complete breaks" in Method B shall be considered a departure from standard and shall not be
reported as a standard result. Impact values cannot be directly compared for any two materials that experience
different types of failure as likewise be derived from specimens contained within a single failure category. This letter
code will suffix the reported impact identifying the types of failure associated with the reported value. If more than
one type of failure is observed for a sample material, then the report will indicate the average impact value for each
type of failure, followed by the percent of the specimens failing in that manner and suffixed by the letter code.
5.8 The value of these impact test methods lies mainly in the areas of quality
control and materials specification. If two groups of specimens of supposedly the same material show significantly
different energy absorptions, types of breaks, critical widths, or critical temperatures, it may be assumed that they
were made of different materials or were exposed to different processing or conditioning environments. The fact
that a material shows twice the energy absorption of another under these conditions of test does not indicate that
this same relationship will exist under another set of test conditions. The order of toughness may even be reversed
under different testing conditions.
METHOD A ‐‐ CANTILEVER BEAM (IZOD‐TYPE) TEST
6. Apparatus
6.1 The machine shall consist of a massive base on which is mounted a vise for holding the specimen and to which is
connected, through a rigid frame and anti‐friction bearings, one of a number of pendulum‐type hammers (or one
basic hammer to which extra weights may be attached) having an initial energy suitable for use with the particular
specimen to be tested, plus a pendulum holding and releasing mechanism and a pointer and dial mechanism for
indicating the excess energy remaining in the pendulum after breaking the specimen.
6.2 A jig for positioning the specimen in the vise and graphs or tables to aid in the calculation of the correction for
friction and windage also should be included. Detailed requirements are given in subsequent paragraphs. General
methods for checking and calibrating the machine are given in Appendix X1. Additional instructions for adjusting a
particular machine should be supplied by the manufacturer.
6.3 The pendulum shall consist of a single or multi‐bered arm with a bearing on
one end and a head, the striking nose, on the other. Although a large of the mass of the pendulum should be
concentrated head, the arm must be sufficiently rigid to maintain the clearances and geometric relationships
between the parts and the specimen and to minimize vibrational losses which are always included in the measured
value.
6.4 The striker of the pendulum shall be hardened steel and shall be cylindrical surface having a radius of curvature of
0.80 +/‐0.20mm (0.031 +/‐ 0.008 in.) with its axis horizontal and perpendicular to the plane of swing of the pendulum.
The line of contact of the striker shall be located at the center of percussion of the pendulum within 2.54mm (0.100
in.) (See Note 7). Those portions of the pendulum adjacent to the cylindrical striking edge shall be repressed or
inclined at a suitable angle so that there will be no chance for other than this cylindrical surface coming in contact
with the specimen during the break.
NOTE 7‐‐ The distance from the axis of support to the center of percussion may be determined experimentally from the period
of small amplitude oscillations of the pendulum by means of the following equation:
2
L = (g/4pi) p
Where:
L = distance from the axis of support to the center of percussion, m (or ft.),
g = local gravitational acceleration (known to an accuracy of one pact in one
part in one thousand), m/s(2) [or Ft./s(2)],
Pi = 3.1416 (4Pi = 39.48), and
p = period, in seconds, of a single complete swing (to and fro) determined
from at least 50 consecutive and uninterrupted swings (known to one part
in two thousand). The angle of swing shall be less than 5 deg. each side of
center.
6.5 The position of the pendulum holding and releasing mechanism shall be such that the vertical height of fall of the
striker shall be 610 +/‐2mm (24.0 +/‐0.1 in.). This will produce a velocity of the striking nose at the moment of impact
of approximately 3.5m (11.4ft.)/s. (See Note 8.) The mechanism shall be constructed and operated that it will release
the pendulum without imparting acceleration or vibration to it.
Note 8 ‐ V = (2gh)
Where :
V = velocity of the striker at the moment of impact (m/s),
g = local gravitational acceleration (m/s sqr.), and
h = vertical height of fall of the striker (m).
This assumes no windage or friction.
The effective length of the pendulum shall be between 0.325 and 0.406m (12.8 and 16.0 in.) so that the above
required
elevation of the striking nose may be obtained by raising the pendulum to an angle between 60 and 30deg. above
the horizontal.
6.7 The machine shall be provided with a basic pendulum capable of delivering an energy of 2.7 +/‐ 0.14 J (2.00 +/‐
0.10ft.lbf). This pendulum shall be used with all specimens that extract less than 85% of this energy. Heavier
pendulums shall be provided for specimens that require more energy to break. These may be separate
interchangeable pendulums or one basic pendulum to which extra pairs of equal calibrated weights may be rigidly
attached to opposite sides of the pendulum. It is imperative that the extra weights shall not significantly change the
position of the center of percussion or the free‐hanging rest point of the pendulum 9(that would consequently take
the machine outside of the allowable calibration tolerances). A range of pendulums having energies from 2.7 to 21.7J
(2 to 16 ft.lbf) has been found to be sufficient for use with most plastic specimens and may be used with most
machines. A series of pendulums such that each has twice the energy of the next lighter one will be found
convenient. Each pendulum shall have an energy within +/‐0.5% of its nominal capacity.
6.8 A vise shall be provided for clamping the specimen rigidly in position so that the long axis of the specimen is vertical
and at right angles to the top plane of the vise. This top plane shall bisect the angle of the notch with a tolerance of
0.12mm (0.005in.). This correct positioning of the specimen is generally done with a jig furnished with the machine.
The top edge at the fixed jaw of the vise shall have a radius of 0.25 +/‐0.12mm (0.010+/‐0.005 in.). For specimens
wise thickness approaches the lower limiting value of 3.00mm (0.118 in.), means shall be provided to prevent the
lower half of the specimen from moving during the clamping or testing operations. (see note 9).
NOTE 9 ‐‐ Some plastics are sensitive to clamping pressure; therefore, co‐operating laboratories should agree upon some
means of standardizing the clamping force, such as with a torque wrench on the screw of the specimen vise. If the faces of the
vise or specimen are not flat and parallel, a greater sensitivity to clamping pressure may be evident. See the calibration
procedure in Appendix X1 for adjustment and correction instructions from faulty instruments.
6.9 When the pendulum is free hanging, the striking surface shall come within
0.2% of scale of touching the front face of the standard specimen. During an actual swing this element shall make
initial contact with the specimen on a line 22.00 +/‐ 0.05mm (0.87 +/‐ 0.002 in.) above the top surface of the vise.
6.10 Means shall be provided for determining energy remaining in the pendulum after breaking the specimen. Usually this
will consist of a pointer and dial mechanism which indicate the height of rise of the pendulum beyond the point of
impact in terms of energy removed from that specific pendulum. Since the indicated remaining energy must be
corrected for pendulum bearing friction, pointer friction, pointer inertia, and pendulum windage, instructions for
making these corrections are included in 10.3 and Appendix X2. Optionally, an electronic digital display or computer
can be used in place of the dial and pointer to measure the energy loss and indicate the breaking energy of the
specimen. If the electronic display does not automatically correct for windage and friction, it shall be incumbent for
the operator to determine the energy loss manually. (See Note 10).
NOTE 10 ‐‐ Many digital indicating systems automatically correct for windage and friction. The equipment manufacturer may
be consulted for details concerning how this is performed, or if it is necessary to determine the means for manually calculating
the energy loss due to windage and friction.
6.11 The vise, pendulum, and frame shall be sufficiently rigid to assure correct alignment of the hammer and
specimen, both at the moment of impact and during the propagation of the fracture, and to minimize energy losses
due to vibration. The base shall be sufficiently massive that the impact will not cause it to move. The machine shall
be so designed, constructed, and maintained that energy losses due to pendulum air drag (windage), friction in the
pendulum bearings, and friction and inertia in the excess energy‐indicating mechanism, are held to a minimum.
6.12 A check of the calibration of an impact machine is difficult to make under dynamic conditions. The basic
parameters are normally checked under static conditions; if the machine passes the static tests, then it is assumed to
be accurate. The calibration procedure in Appendix X2 shall be used to establish the accuracy of the equipment.
However, for some machine designs it might be necessary to change the recommended method of obtaining the
required calibration measurements. Other methods of performing the required checks may be substituted provided
that they can be shown to result in an equivalent accuracy. Appendix X1 also describes a dynamic test for checking
certain features of the machine and specimen.
7 Test Specimens
7.1 The test specimens shall conform to the dimensions and geometry of except as modified in accordance with 7.2, 7.3,
7.4, and 7.5. To ensure the correct contour and conditions of the specified notch, all specimens shall be notched as
directed in Section 8.
7.2 Molded specimens shall have a width between 3.0 and 12.7mm (0.118 and
0.500 in.) as specified in the ASTM material specification or as agreed upon between the supplier and the customer.
All specimens having one dimension less than 12.7mm (0.005 in.) shall have the notch cut on the shorter side.
Otherwise, all compression molded specimens shall be notched on the side parallel to the direction of application of
molding pressure. (Due to the draft of the mold, the notched surface and the opposite surface may not be parallel in
molded specimens due to the draft of the mold, and, therefore, it is essential that the notched surface be machined
parallel to its opposite surface within 0.025mm (0.001 in.), removing a minimum of material in the process, so as to
remain within the allowable tolerance for the specimen depth).
7.2.1 Extreme care must be used in handling specimens less than 6.4mm (0.250
in.) wide. Such specimens must be accurately positioned and supported to prevent twist or lateral buckling during
the test. Some materials, furthermore, are very sensitive to clamping pressure (see Note 9).
7.2.2 A critical investigation of the mechanics of impact testing has shown that
tests made upon specimens under 6.4mm (0.250 in.) wide absorb more energy due to crushing, bending and twisting
than do wider specimens. Therefore, specimens 6.4mm (0.250 in.) or over in width are recommended. The
responsibility for determining the minimum specimen width shall be the investigator's with due reference to the
ASTM specification for that material.
: 7:
7.2.3 Material specification should be consulted for preferred molding conditions. The type of mold and molding machine
used and the flow behavior in the mold cavity will influence the impact resistance obtained. A specimen taken from
one end of a molded plaque may give different results than a specimen taken from the other end. Cooperating
laboratories should therefore agree on standard molds conforming to the material specification. Practice D 3641 can
be used as a guide for general molding tolerances, but refer to the material specification for specific molding
conditions.
7.2.4 The impact resistance of a plastic material may be different if the notch be
perpendicular to rather than parallel to the direction of molding as with or across the grain of an anisotropic bar cut
from a plate.
7.3 For sheet materials, the specimens shall be cut from the sheet in both the lengthwise and crosswise directions unless
otherwise specified. The width of the specimen shall be the thickness of the sheet if the sheet thickness is between
3.0 and 12.7mm (0.118 and 0.500 in.). Sheet material thicker than 12.7mm shall be machined down to 12.7mm.
Specimens with a 12.7‐mm square cross section may be tested either edgewise or flatwise as cut from the sheet.
When specimens are tested flatwise, the notch shall be made on the machined surface if the specimen be machined
on one face only. When the specimen is cut from a thick sheet, notation shall be made of the portion of the thickness
of the sheet from which the specimen was cut, for example, center, top, or bottom surface.
7.4 The practice of cementing, bolting, clamping, or otherwise combining specimens of substandard width to form a
Composite test specimen is not recommended and should be avoided since test results may be seriously affected by
interface effects or effects of solvents and cements on energy absorption of composite test specimens, or both.
However, if Izod test data on such thin materials are required when no other means of preparing specimens are
available, and if possible sources of error are recognized and acceptable, the following technique of preparing
composites may be utilized.
7.4.1 The test specimen shall be a composite of individual thin specimens totaling 6.35 to 12.7mm (0.250 to 0.500 in.) in
width. Individual members of the composite shall be accurately aligned with each other and clamped, bolted or
cemented (Note 11) together. The composite shall be machined to proper dimensions and then notched. In all such
cases the use of composite specimens shall be noted in the report of test results.
7.4.2 Care must be taken to select a solvent or adhesive that will not affect the impact resistance of the material under
test. If solvents or selvent‐containing adhesives are employed, a conditioning procedure shall be established to
ensure complete removal of the solvent prior to test.
7.4.3 Each specimen shall be free of twist (Note 12) and shall be bounded by mutually perpendicular pairs of plane parallel
Surfaces free from scratches, pits, and sink marks. The specimens shall be checked for conformity with these
requirements by visual observation against straightedges, squares, and flat plates, and by measuring with micrometer
calipers. Any specimen showing observable or measurable departure from one or more of these requirements shall
be rejected or machined to the proper size and shape before testing.
NOTE 11‐‐A specimen that has a slight twist to its notched face of 0.05mm (0.002 in.) at the point of contact with the
pendulum striking edge will be likely to have a characteristic fracture surface with considerable greater fracture area
than for a normal break. In this case the energy to break and toss the broken section may be considerably larger
(20 to 30% ) than for a normal break. A tapered specimen may require more energy to bend it in the vise before
fracture.
8. Notching Test Specimens
8.1 Notching shall be done on a milling machine, engine lathe, or other suitable machine tool. Both the feed speed and
the cutter speed shall be constant throughout the notching operation (Note126). Provision for cooling the specimen
with either a liquid or gas coolant is recommended. A single‐tooth cutter shall be used for notching the specimen,
unless notches of an equivalent quality can be produced with a multi‐tooth cutter. Single‐tooth cutters are preferred
because of the ease of grinding the cutter to the specimen contour and because of the smoother cut on the
specimen. The cutting edge shall be carefully ground and honed to ensure sharpness and freedom from nicks and
burrs. Tools with no rake and a work relief angle of 15 to 20deg. have been found satisfactory.
NOTE 12 ‐‐ For some thermoplastics, cutter speeds from 53 to 150 m/min (175 to 490 ft/min) at a feed speed of 89 to 160
mm/min (3.5 to 6.3 in./min) without a water coolant or the same cutter speeds at a feed speed of from 36 to 160mm/min (1.4
to 6.3 i./min) with water coolant produced suitable notches.
8.2 Specimens may be notched separately or in a group. However, in either case an un‐notched back‐up or "dummy" bar
shall be placed behind the last specimen in the sample holder to prevent distortion and chipping by the cutter as it
exits from the last test specimen.
8.3 The profile of the cutting tooth or teeth shall be such as to produce a notch of the contour and depth in the test
specimen as specified in Note 13. The included angle of the notch shall be 45 +/‐ 1deg. with a radius of curvature at
the apex of 0.25 +/‐0.05mm (0.010 +/‐ 0.002 in.). The plane bisecting the notch angle shall be perpendicular to the
face of the test specimen within 2deg.
NOTE 13‐‐ There is evidence that notches cut in materials of widely differing physical properties by the same cutter
may differ in contour. If the notch in the specimen should take the contour of the cutter, then the contour
of the tip of the cutter may be checked instead of the notch in the specimen for single‐tooth cutters. Under
the same condition, multi‐tooth cutters may be checked by measuring the contour of a strip of soft metal
shim inserted between two bars for notching.
8.4 The depth of the plastic material remaining in the specimen under the notch shall be 10.20 +/‐ 0.05mm (0.400 +/‐
0.002
in.). This dimension shall be measured, with the micrometer or other suitable measuring device.
8.5 Cutter speed and feed speed should be chosen appropriate for the material being tested since the quality of notch
may be adversely affected by thermal deformation and stresses induced during the cutting operation if proper
conditions are not selected. The notching parameters shall not alter the physical state of the material such as raising
the temperature of a thermoplastic above its transition temperature. In general, high cutter speeds, slow feed rates,
and lack of coolant induce more thermal damage than a slow cutter speed, fast feed speed, and the use of coolant.
Too high a feed speed/cutter speed ratio, however, may cause impacting and cracking of the specimen. The range of
cutter speed/feed ratios possible to produce acceptable notches can be extended by the use of a suitable
coolant(Note 14). In the case of new types of plastics and electrical insulating materials, it is necessary to study the
effect of variations in notching condition (Note 15).
NOTE 14 ‐‐ Water or compressed gas is a suitable coolant for mass plastics.
NOTE 15 ‐‐ Embedded thermocouples, or another temperature measuring device, can be used to determine the
temperature rise in the material near the apex of the notch during machining. Thermal stresses induced
during the notching operation can be observed in transparent materials by viewing the specimen at low
magnification between crossed polars in monochromatic light.
8.6 The specimen notch produced by each cutter will be examined, at a minimum, after every 500 notches. The notch in
the specimen, made of the material to be tested, shall be inspected and verified. One procedure for the inspection
and verification of the notch is presented in Appendix X1. Each type of material being notched must be inspected and
verified at that time. If the angle or radius does not fall within the specified limits for materials of satisfactory
machining characteristics, then the cutter shall be replaced with a newly sharpened and honed one.(See Note 16).
NOTE 16 ‐‐ A carbide‐tipped notching cutter is recommended for longer service life.
9. Conditioning
9.1 Conditioning ‐‐ Condition the test specimens at 23 +/‐ 2deg.C (73 +/‐ 3.6deg.F) and 50 +/‐ 5% relative humidity for not
less than 40 h prior to test in accordance with Procedure A of Methods D 618, unless it can be documented (between
supplier and customer) that a shorter conditioning time is sufficient for a given material to reach equilibrium of
impact resistance.
9.1.1 Note that for some hygroscopic materials, such as nylons, the material specifications (for example, Specification D
4066) call for testing "dry as‐molded specimens". Such requirements take precedence over the above routine
preconditioning to 50% RH and require sealing the specimens in vapor‐impermeable containers as soon as molded
and removing them until ready for testing.
9.2 Test Conditions ‐‐ Conduct tests in the Standard Laboratory Atmosphere of 23 +/‐ 2deg.C (73 +/‐ 3.6deg.F) and 50+/‐
5% relative humidity, unless otherwise specified in the test methods. In cases of disagreement, the tolerances shall
be +/‐1deg.C (+/‐1.8deg.F) and +/‐2% relative humidity.
10. Procedure
10.1 At least five and preferably ten or more individual determinations of impact value must be made on each sample can
be
tested under the conditions prescribed in Section 9. Each group shall consist of specimens with the same nominal
width [+/‐0.13mm (+/‐0.005 in.)]. In the case of specimens cut from sheets that are suspected of being anisotropic,
prepare and test specimens from each principal direction (lengthwise and crosswise to the direction of anistotropy).
10.2 Estimate the breaking energy for the specimen and select a pendulum of suitable energy. Use the lightest standard
pendulum that is expected to break each specimen in the group with a loss of not more than 85% of its energy (See
Note 17). Check the machine with the proper pendulum in place for conformity with the requirements of Section 6
before starting the tests.
NOTE 17 ‐‐ Ideally an impact test would be conducted at a constant test velocity. In a pendulum‐type test the velocity
decreases as the fracture progresses. For specimens that have an impact energy approaching the capacity
of the pendulum there is insufficient energy to complete the break and toss. By avoiding the higher 15%
scale energy readings the velocity of the pendulum will not be reduced below 1.3m/s (4.4ft/s). On the
other hand, the use of too heavy a pendulum would reduce the sensitivity of the reading.
: 9:
10.2 If the machine is equipped with a mechanical pointer and dial, perform the following operations before testing the
Specimens:
10.3.1 With the excess energy indicating pointer in its normal starting position but without a specimen in the vise, release
the
pendulum from its normal starting position and note the position the pointer attains after the swing as one reading of
factor A.
10.3.2 Without resetting the pointer, raise the pendulum and release again. The pointer should move up the scale an
additional amount. Repeat (10.3.2) until a swing causes no additional movement of the pointer and note the final
reading as one reading of factor B (See Note 18).
10.3.3 Repeat the above two operations several times and calculate the record the
average A and B readings.
NOTE 18 ‐‐Factor B is an indication of the energy lost by the pendulum to friction in the pendulum bearings and to windage.
The difference A‐B is an indication of the energy lost to friction and inertia in the excess energy indicating mechanism.
However, the actual corrections will be smaller than this factor, since in an actual test the energy absorbed by the
specimen prevents the pendulum from making a full swing. Therefore, the indicated breaking strength of the
specimen must be included in the calculation of the machine correction before determining the breaking energy of
the specimen (See 10.7). The A and B values also provide an indication of the condition of the machine.
10.3.4 If excessive friction is indicated, the machine shall be adjusted before starting a test. If the machine is equipped with
a digital energy indicating system, follow the manufacturer's instructions to correct for windage and friction. If
excessive friction is indicated, the machine shall be adjusted before starting a test.
10.4 Check the specimens for conformity with the requirements of Sections 7, 8 and 10.1.
10.5 Measure the width and depth to the nearest 0.025mm (0.001 in.) after notching of each specimen. Measured the
width in the region of the notch. A micrometer or other measuring device is necessary for measuring the depth.
10.6 Position the specimen precisely (6.7) and rigidly but not too tightly (See Note 9) clamped in the vise. Pay special
attention to assure that the "impacted end" of the specimen as shown and dimensioned be the end projecting above
the vise. Release the pendulum and note and record the excess energy remaining in the pendulum after breaking the
specimen, together with a description of the appearance of the broken specimen (see failure categories in 5.8).
10.7 Subtract the windage and friction correction from the indicated breaking energy of the specimen, unless determined
automatically by the indicating system (that is, digital display or computer). If a mechanical dial and pointer is
employed, use the A and B factors and the appropriate tables or the graph described in Annexes A1 and A2 to
determine the correction. For those digital stems that do not automatically compensate for windage and friction,
follow the manufacturer's procedure for performing this correction.
10.7.1 In other words, either manually or automatically, the windage and friction correction value is subtracted from the
Uncorrected, indicated breaking energy to obtain the new breaking energy. Compare the net value so found with the
energy requirement of the hammer specified in 10.2. If a hammer of improper energy was used, discard the result
and make additional tests on new specimens with the proper hammer.
10.8 Divide the net value found in 10.7 by the measured width of the particular specimen to obtain the impact resistance
under the notch of the particular specimen to obtain he impact strength. Consequently, the cross‐sectional area
(width time’s depth under the notch) will need to be reported.
10.9 Calculate the average Izod Impact resistance of the group of specimens. However, only values of specimens having
the same nominal width and type of break may be averaged. Value obtained from specimens that did not break in the
manner specified in 5.8 shall not be included in the average. Also calculate the standard deviation of the group of values.
11 Report
11.1 The report shall include the following:
11.1.1 The test method used (Test Method A, C, D, or E),
11.1.2 Complete identification of the material tested, including type source, manufacturer's code number, and previous
history,
11.1.3 A statement of how the specimens were prepared, the testing conditions used, and, for sheet materials, the direction
of testing with respect to anisotropy, if any,
11.1.4 The capacity of the pendulum in joules, or foot‐pounds‐force, or inch‐pounds‐force,
11.1.5 The width and depth under the notch of each specimen tested (see 5.6),.
11.1.6 The total number of specimens tested per sample of material,(that is five, ten, or more)
11.1.7 The type of failure (see 5.8)
11.1.8 The Impact resistance must be reported in J/m (ft‐lb/in.); the optional units
of kJ/m sqr.) may also be required (see 10.8),
11.1.9 The number of those specimens that resulted in failures which conforms to each of the requirement categories in 5.8,
11.1.10 The average impact resistance and standard deviation [in J/m
(ft‐lb/in.)] For those specimens in each failure category, except non‐break as presented in 5.8. Optional units [kJ/m
sqr. (ft‐lb/in. sqr.)] may also need to be reported, and
: 10:
11.1.11 The percent of specimens failing in each category suffixed by the
corresponding letter code from 5.8.
METHOD B ‐‐ SIMPLE BEAM (CHARPY‐TYPE) TEST
12. Apparatus
12.1 The machine shall consist of a massive base on which are mounted a pair of
supports for holding the specimen and to which is connected, through a rigid frame and anti‐friction bearings, one of
a number of pendulum‐type hammers having an initial energy suitable for use with the particular specimen to be
tested, plus a pendulum holding and releasing mechanism and a pointer and dial mechanism for indicating the excess
energy remaining in the pendulum after breaking the specimen. A jig for positioning the specimen on the supports
and graphs or tables so aid in the calculation of the correction for friction and windage also should be included.
Specific requirements are given in subsequent paragraphs. Additional instructions for adjusting a particular machine
should be supplied by the manufacturer.
12.2 Same as 6.3.
12.3 The striking edge of the pendulum shall be made of hardened steel, tapered to have an included angle of 45 +/‐2deg.
and shall be rounded to a radius of 3.17 +/‐0.12mm (0.125 +/‐ 0.005 in.). It shall be so aligned that when the
pendulum is free hanging the cylindrical impacting surface shall have a vertical axis and be tangent to the front face of
a rectangular standard specimen to within 0.025mm (0.001 in.). In the free hanging position the center of percussion
of the pendulum shall lie within 2.54mm (0.100 in.) of the middle of the line of contact made by the striking nose
upon the face of a standard specimen of square cross section (Note 5).
12.4 Same as 6.5.
12.5 Same as 6.6.
12.6 The machine shall be provided with a basic pendulum capable of delivering an energy of 2.710 +/‐ 0.135 J (2.00 +/‐
0.10ft.lbf). This pendulum shall be used with all specimens that extract less than 85% of this energy. Heavier
pendulums shall be provided for specimens that require more energy to break. Each pendulum shall have energy
within 0.5% of its nominal capacity.
12.7 The test specimen shall be supported against two rigid anvils in such a
Position that its center of gravity and the center of the notch shall lie on tangent to the arc of travel of the center of
percussion of the pendulum drawn at the position of impact. The edges of the anvils shall be rounded to a radius of
3.17 +/‐ 0.12mm (0.125 +/‐ 0.005 in.) and the anvils' lines of contact with the specimen shall be 101.6 +/‐ 0.5mm
(4.000 +/‐ 0.020 in.).
12.8 Same as 6.10.
NOTE 22 ‐‐ Some machines currently in use employ a 108.0‐mm (4.25 in.) span. Data obtained under these conditions
are valid.
12.9 Same as 6.11.
12.10 Same as 6.12.
13 Test Specimen
13.1 The test specimen shall conform to the dimensions and geometry of Fig. 7, except as modified in accordance with 12.2,
12.3, 12.4, and 12.5. To ensure the correct contour and conditions of the specified notch, all specimens shall be
notched as directed in Section 8.
13.2 Same as 7.2.
13.3 Same as 7.3.
13.4 Same as 7.4.
13.5 Same as 7.5.
14. Conditioning
14.1 Conditioning ‐‐ See 9.1.
14.2 Test Conditions ‐‐ See 9.2.
15 Procedure
15.1 Same as 10.1.
15.2 Same as 10.2.
15.3 Same as 10.3.
15.4 Check the specimen for conformity with the requirements of Section 12. Measure the width of each specimen in the
region of the notch with a micrometer caliper to the nearest 0.025mm (0.001 in.) and record its average width along
with its identifying markings.
: 11 :
15.5 Position the test specimen precisely on the supports in a horizontal position so that it will be impacted edgewise at its
center on the face opposite the notch for notched specimens. Release the pendulum and note and record the excess
energy remaining in the pendulum after breaking the specimen, together with a description of the appearance of a
broken specimen.
15.6 Same as 10.7.
15.7 Same as 10.9.
16 Report
16.1 The report shall include the following :
16.1.1 Same as 11.1.2.
16.1.2 Same as 11.1.3.
16.1.3 Same as 11.1.4.
16.1.4 The nominal width of the specimens.
16.1.5 Same as 11.1.6.
16.1.6 The number of those specimens that resulted in a complete break.
16.1.7 The average impact strength in joules per meter, or foot‐pounds‐force per inch, of width for the specimens of 15.1.6
above that resulted in a complete break (Note 23). Impact strengths are not to be reported for other than complete
breaks.
NOTE 23‐‐ All abbreviated or tabulated reports shall affix behind the Charpy impact strength value the nominal
specimen thickness in millimeters (or inches) in brackets (see 4.6).
16.1.8 If required, the standard deviation of the values of the impact strengths of the specimens of 11.1.9.
16.1.9 The percent of specimens failing with a complete break.
16.1.10 Span (see Note 22).
17. Apparatus
17.1 The apparatus shall be the same as specified in Section 5.
18 Test Specimen
18.1 The test specimen shall be the same as specified in Section 6.
19. Conditioning
19.1 Conditioning ‐‐ See 9.1.
19.2 Conditions ‐‐ See 9.2.
20. Procedure
20.1 The procedure shall be the same as in Section 9 with the addition of a procedure for estimating the energy to toss the
broken specimen part. Make an estimate of the magnitude of the energy to toss each different type of material and
each different specimen size(width). This is done by repositioning the free end of the broken specimen on the
clamped portion and striking it a second time with the pendulum released in such a way as to impart to the specimen
approximately the same velocity it had attained during the test. This is done by releasing the pendulum from a height
corresponding to that to which it rose following the breakage of the test specimen. The energy to toss is then
considered to be the difference between the reading described above and the free swing reading obtained from this
height. A reproducible method of starting the pendulum from the proper height must be devised.
21. Report
21.1 The report shall be the same as in Section 10 with the addition of the following:
21.1.1 The estimated toss correction expressed in joules per meter of notch or foot‐pounds‐force per inch of notch,
obtained by dividing the energy to toss in joules or foot‐pounds‐force by the specimen width in meters or inches, and
21.1.2 The difference between the Izod impact strength and the toss correction reported as the estimated net Izod impact
strength.
METHOD D‐‐NOTCH RADIUS SENSITIVITY TEST
22 Apparatus
22.1 The apparatus shall be the same as specified in Section 6.
23 Test Specimen
23.1 The specimens shall be the same as specified in Section 7. All specimens
must be of the same nominal width preferably 6.4mm (0.25 in.).
24 Notching Test Specimens
24.1 Notching shall be done as specified in Section 8, except that 10 specimens
shall be notched with a radius of 0.25mm (0.010 in.) and 10 specimens with a radius of (0.040 in.).
: 12:
25. Conditioning
25.1 Condition specimens in accordance with Section 9.
26. Procedure
26.1 Proceed in accordance with Section 10, testing a minimum of 5 (preferably 10) specimens of each notch radius.
26.2 The average impact strength of each group shall be calculated, except that within each group the type of break must
be homogeneously C, H, C & H, or P.
26.3 If the specimens with the 0.25mm (0.010‐in.) radius notch do not break, the test is not applicable.
26.4 If any of 10 specimens tested with the 1.0mm (0.04 in.) notch fail as in category NB, non‐break, the notch sensitivity
procedure cannot be used without obtaining additional data. A new set of specimens should be prepared from the
same sample, using a 0.50mm (0.020 in.) notch radius and the procedure of 25.1 and 25.2 repeated.
27. Calculation
27.2 The slope of the line connecting the values for impact energy‐to‐break for 0.254 and 1.012mm (0.010 and 0.040 in.)
notch radius [or 0.508mm (0.020 in.) notch radius applicable] should be calculated as follows:
b = E2 ‐ E1 / R2 ‐ R1
where:
E2, E1 = average energy to break for the larger and smaller notch radii
respectively, J/m (ft.lbf/in.) of notch.
R(2) = radius of the larger notch, m (in.) and
R(1) = radius of the smaller notch, m(in.).
Example: E(40) = 6.2 ft.lbf/in. E(10) = 2.6 ft.lbf/in.
B = 6.2 ‐ 2.6/0.040 ‐ 0.010 = 3.6/0.03 = 120 ft.lbf/in. of notch in.(radius).
MODE