Title: Impact test

Introduction

Toughness is a measure of the amount of energy a material can absorb before fracturing. It
becomes of engineering importance when the ability to withstand an impact load without
fracturing is considered. Two types of impact test which are;
Charpy
Izod
For both Charpy and Izod, the specimen is in the shape of a bar of square cross section, into
which a V-notch is machined. The primary difference between these two techniques lies in the
manner of specimen support.

Figure 1: Izod and Charpy Test

Objectives
To determine the fracture behavior of given materials.
To draw fracture surface of given materials

 To perform impact energy calculation of given materials

To determine the percent shear from fracture surfaces.
To describe situations in which an engineer should be knowledgeable about the
ductile to brittle transition temperatures in metals.
To explain how the crystal structure of a metal may affect its performance in a
mechanical application.
To Explain how Charpy impact data can be used to predict brittle fracture of an
engineering component.

Apparatus and Materials

Charpy Izod Impact Tester 300J

Charpy Izod Impact Tester 300J

Specimen of aluminum, brass, steel and copper

Copper, Aluminum, Brass, and Steel

2

Methodology

o The latch was inspected and the brake was tested to make sure its working properly
o Left the pendulum weight hammer to cocked position at a fixed height.
o Move the hand trigger from release to lock when the pendulum weight hammer is lifted
to the correct position. For safety make sure the pendulum hammer completely engage to
the lock position.
o Grap the specimen and get ready to place it into the impact machine. But make sure to do
it vary sort time.
o Place the specimen into the spacemen holder with the notch facing away from the
pendulum. Make sure the specimen is fit within stopper pin and specimen holder.
o Stand well clear of the swinging area of the pendulum.
o Pull the hold trigger from lock to release and allow the pendulum to swing.
o Press and hold the brake gear as soon as pendulum completes one full swing.
o Record the impact energy absorbed during deformation of your specimens.

Result/Data/Analysis
Data given:

Mass (m) = 10 kg
Specific gravity, g = 9.81 m/s
Height of rod, h = 0.9 m
Maximum degree, = 90
Angle ()
Specimens
Maximum

Minimum

Fracture Behavior

Aluminum

90

66.3

Ductile

Steel

90

28.3

Ductile

Copper

90

16.8

Ductile

Brass

90

79.8

Brittle

Aluminum, Brass, Copper, Steel

Formula
Potential energy at initial, PE

Energy absorbed

= Energy absorbed + PE @ final

= PE @ initial PE @ final
= mgh mgh

Calculation result:

Brass
Aluminum
mgh = 10 x 9.81 x 0.9
= 88.29 J

mgh = 10 x 9.81 x 0.9

= 88.29 J
h = h [0.9 cos( min)]

h = h [0.9 cos( min)]

= 0.9 [0.9 cos 66]
= 0.534 m

mgh = 10 x 9.81 x 0.534

= 53.2683 J
Energy absorbed
= PE @ initial PE @ final
= mgh mgh
= 88.29 J 53.2683 J
= 35.0217 J
Copper

= 0.9 [0.9 cos 79]

= 0.7283 m

mgh = 10 x 9.81 x 0.7283

= 71.45 J
Energy absorbed
= PE @ initial PE @ final
= mgh mgh
= 88.29 J 71.45 J
= 16.84 J
steel

mgh = 10 x 9.81 x 0.9

= 88.29 J

mgh = 10 x 9.81 x 0.9

= 88.29 J

h = h [0.9 cos( min)]

h = h [0.9 cos( min)]

= 0.9 [0.9 cos 16]

= 0.035 m

= 0.9 [0.9 cos 28]

= 0.1053 m

mgh = 10 x 9.81 x 0.035

= 3.4335 J

mgh = 10 x 9.81 x 0.1053

= 10.33 J

Energy absorbed
= PE @ initial PE @ final
= mgh mgh
= 88.29 J 3.4335 J
= 84.8565 J

Energy absorbed
= PE @ initial PE @ final
= mgh mgh
= 88.29 J 10.33 J
= 77.96J

Discussion/Observation
Q1): discuss the importance of impact test that you have carried out and explain the differences
between lzod and charpy test?
ANS1): Impact test determines the amount of energy absorbed by a material during fracture.
This absorbed energy is a measure of a given material's toughness and acts as a tool to study
temperature-dependent brittle-ductile transition. It is to determine whether the material is brittle
or ductile in nature impact test also is testing an object's ability to resist high-rate loading an
impact test is a test for determining the energy absorbed in fracturing a test piece at high
velocity. Most of us think of it as one object striking another object at a relatively high speed.
and the difference between Izod and charpy test is that lzod test is the test piece is a cantilever,
clamped upright in an anvil, with a V-notch at the level of the top of the clamp. The test
piece is hit by a striker carried on a pendulum which is allowed to fall freely from a
fixed height. After fracturing the test piece, the height to which the pendulum rises is recorded
by a slave friction pointer mounted on the dial, from which the absorbed energy amount is read.
While charpy impact test The principle of the test differs from that of the Izod test in that
the test piece is tested as a beam supported at each end; a notch is cut across the middle
of one face, and the striker hits the opposite face directly behind the notch. When the results
of a number of tests performed in different temperatures are plotted, ductile-to-brittle
transition curves, as , may be obtained. As the temperature is reduced through the transition
range, the fracture surface changes from one having a 'fibrous' or 'silky' appearance with much
distortion at the sides, to one of completely crystalline appearance with negligible
distortion. There is a strong correlation between the energy absorbed and the proportion of
the cross-section which suffers deformation in fracture, and the fracture surface is frequently
described in terms of the percentage of its area which is crystalline in appearance.
Typical fracture appearances with crystallinity increases as the temperature are reduced.

Q2): analyze fracture surface of each specimen?

ANS2 ):

Brittle

Ductile

Ductile

Ductile

Brass

Aluminum

Copper

Steel

Q3): comment on the impact energy value and fracture surface on the specimens.

Ans 3): The impact energy value for copper is higher than brass, copper and aluminum. From
this experiment, it shows that only brass has brittle fracture behavior and other specimens have
ductile fracture behavior. Ductile fracture is better than brittle fracture because of some reasons.
First of all, more energy needed in the ductile fracture because it is a tough material. In addition,
brittle fracture happens quickly without warning, while ductile fracture took a longer time before
the whole process to happen.

Conclusion

From the impact test, brass undergoes brittle fracture while aluminum, copper, mild steel
undergoes ductile fracture. More energy is absorbed by copper shows that it is more suitable to
be use in the structural construction that expose to high load. The result of this impact test shows
that this experiment achieves its objectives which are to determine the fracture behavior of given
materials, to draw fracture surface of given materials and to perform impact energy calculation
of given materials. Impact test work used extensively to help evaluate existing and new materials
for products and structures a test to ensure safety as well as to reduce the initial and lifetime
costs for structures. Knowledge is continually being gained which will help make the test more
accurate and reliable.

References

1) Charpy, M.G., "Note sur l'Essai des Metaux a la Flexion par Choc de Barreaux
Entailles, Soc. Ing. de Francais, June 1901, p. 848.

2) Hatt, W.K., and Marburg, E., "Bibliography on Impact Tests and Impact Testing
Machines," Proceedings ASTM, Vol. 2, 1902, p. 283.
3) LeChatalier A., On the Fragility After Immersion in a Cold Fluid, French
Testing Commission, Volume 3, 1892.

4) Davis, Harmer Elmer, G. Hauck, and G. Troxell. The Testing of Engineering Materials.
Boston:Mcgraw-Hill College, 1982.

5) ASM Metals Handbook, Vol. 10, 8th Ed., p. 102