How to Perform the Impact Test on Plastics?

Plastic materials are not only used for making commercial appliances or domestic goods, they are also used in the construction of complex machinery in the automotive sector, aerospace and so on. As these are very sensitive applications, where there is no scope for flaw, it is important to measure that the plastic material that is used in the construction of these machines must be durable, high in strength and quality.

For such applications, it is important for manufacturers to make use of high-quality plastic testing instruments to ensure the quality of the finally produced plastic products. However, It is also true that high-quality testing instruments are designed keeping in mind certain quality test standards. So, whenever you are making a purchase of any testing machine, be careful about the specifications, features and the standards in accordance to which the machine is designed.

In this blog, we will shed some light on some tests that can be used to test the impact resistance strength of plastic materials. One of the major test methods that can accurately examine the impact resistance strength of plastics is the IZOD/CHARPY Impact Test. These are two different test methods that can be performed using a single test machine i.e. IZOD/CHARPY Impact Tester. The machine is popularly used in the manufacturing industries where high-quality plastic products are produced. The test helps to evaluate the impact resistance strength of the plastic material when a sudden impact with a predefined force and weight is applied on the material.

International Standards - Considered to design IZOD/CHARPY Impact Tester

The test instrument is designed keeping in mind certain national and international test standards such as ASTM D256 - 10, ASTM D883 - 12, ASTM D618 - 13, ASTM D1248 - 12, ASTM D1204 - 14 and ASTM E691 - 14.

As discussed before, you can perform two types of tests with the same testing machine - IZOD and Charpy. The testing machine works on a microprocessor based program that efficiently converts the impact forces into values and helps to examine how much impact strength a machine can bear to its maximum.

You can easily find the value of impact energy the plastic sample has absorbed directly on the digital screen. The machine also comes with strong and different types of fixtures to perform both the tests which assures firm grip of the sample so that the sample will not move from its place during the test process and you can get accurate results. Lastly, the machine comprises a pendulum hammer that helps to apply the impact forces and it works on electromagnetic forces.

Some Interesting Facts about IZOD/ Charpy Impact Tester

• Digital IZOD/CHARPY Impact Tester can easily create the impact forces up to 21.68 Joules.
• The machine utilizes 150° angle to release the pendulum hammer
• To create a sample, you can buy a small equipment with the machine i.e. notch cutter that will help you prepare the sample easily and accurately.
• The machine also comes with an inbuilt calibration feature that helps you perform precise Izod impact test

For more information on IZOD / Charpy Impact Tester, please reach out to Pacorr testing Instrument - A stop solution for all types of premium testing instruments.