Charpy and Izod impact tests are performed to identify a material’s energy absorption properties during collision. This information can be used to determine the impact strength, toughness, fracture resistance, and impact resistance of materials. Understanding a material’s energy absorption properties is critical, as it predicts how much deformation the material will be able to withstand before catastrophic failure.

During the test, an impact blow is delivered to a material by using a pendulum hammer. The energy absorbed by the material can be calculated by comparing the difference in the height of the pendulum before and after impact.

Keywords: ASTM D256, ISO 179-1, ISO 179-2, ISO 180, impact, charpy, izod, impact strength, toughness, fracture resistance, impact resistance