Impact test: Test the toughness and impact strength of materials
What is a impact test and why is it essential?
A impact test is a test that measures the impact strength and toughness of a material under sudden stress. At Deon Research Centre, this test is indispensable for determining how materials behave in the event of shock or impact, especially at low temperatures or dynamic conditions.
The impact test, also known as the Charpy or Izod test, provides insight into the energy that a material can absorb before it breaks. This is essential in industries where safety, sustainability, and reliability are critical — such as aviation, automotive, construction, and energy.
Why choose impact tests at Deon Research Centre?
Do you want to make sure that your materials are resistant to sudden loads or changes in temperature? Our impact tests offer:
- Reliable toughness analysis: determine how well your material absorbs breakage energy upon impact.
- Quality control according to standards: execution according to international standards such as ISO 148-1 and ASTM E23.
- Safety guarantee: prevent material breakage under extreme conditions.
- Optimization of material selection: compare different materials or treatments to find the best performance.
How does a impact test work?
During the impact test, a standardized sample with a pre-applied notch is subjected to impact with a sling hammer.
The energy required to break the sample is measured and provides insight into the toughness of the material.
The most important steps are:
- Sample preparation: the material is provided with a V- or U-shaped notch in accordance with international standards.
- Conditioning: If necessary, the sample is cooled or heated to determine temperature-dependent properties.
- Impact test: a pendulum hammer passes through the sample and the absorbed energy is measured.
- Result analysis: interpretation of fracture surface, fracture type and energy absorption.
With this method, we can determine important parameters such as:
- Impact value (J/cm²): the absorbed energy per cross-sectional area.
- Brittleness or toughness: the behavior of the material upon impact.
- Temperature dependence: identification of the transition temperature from tough to brittle behavior.
Applications of impact tests in industry
At Deon Research Centre, we carry out impact tests for a wide range of applications:
- Aeronautics and space: analysis of aluminium and titanium alloys that are exposed to varying loads.
- Automotive: evaluation of steel, plastic and composites in body and safety components.
- Construction and infrastructure: assessment of steel structures and welds for safety and durability.
- Mechanical engineering: checking critical parts such as axes and couplings for shock resistance.
- Renewable energy: testing turbine components and construction materials that are exposed to dynamic loads.
What does this mean for your company?
By investing in impact tests, you can:
- Reduce breakage risks by gaining insight into the toughness of materials.
- Improving quality and safety in demanding applications
- Standards-compliant production, essential for certification and market entry.
- Save costs by early detection of material defects or brittle behavior.
We offer extensive impact tests at Deon Research Centre!
Do you want to know how your materials perform under sudden loads?
The Deon Research Centre team offers expert impact tests that ensure reliable, compliant and insightful results.
Contact us for more information and find out how we can support your business with professional impact and toughness tests.
Direct contact +31 (0) 6 51 06 02 62