EXPERIMENT NO.

8
OBJECT: - Study of Impact Testing Machine and to perform Izod test to find the Impact strength of the
given specimen.

APPARATUS: - Pendulum Impact Testing Machine with Izod and Charpy hammers centre gauge for
specimens, specimens for test.

APPLICABILITY: - Universal pendulum impact testing machine fit 30 serves for conducting Charpy and
Izod impact tests according to IS 1757-1961, IS 1499-1958 and IS 1598/1960 and BS-131 part 2 &3. The
machine calibration confirms to IS 3766/1977 and BS – 131 part 4. The impact test enables to determine
the behavior of metals under impact loading conditions. Give the proof of susceptibility to brittle
fracture and also enable the supervision of heat treatment processes. The proof of brittle structures
permits conclusions on cold brittleness, hot brittleness aging or other prejudices of material.

During Charpy test, the specimen rests freely on two supports. The notch at which the specimen
breaks, lies at the centre of percussion of the striker. The impact strength of the specimen is equal to
the impact energy absorbed by the specimen before rupture divided by the original cross-sectional area
of the specimen at the notch. The machine dial is calibrated so as to indicate the energy absorbed by the
specimen directly in kgm.

MACHINE DESCRIPTION: - The pendulum impact testing machine mainly consists of the base, front and
rear stands and the pendulum mounted in bearings. The two stands are bolted to the base. The top
piece is bolted on the two stands at the top. Bearings brackets are fixed to the two stands. The
pendulum shaft is mounted in the two bearing brackets with antifriction bearings. The pendulum is fixed
to the pendulum shaft. The pendulum consists of pendulum pipe, and the hammer. The suitable striker
(Izod or Charpy) is to be fixed to the pendulum as per the test to be conducted. Two guards are provided
to protect the pendulum swing partially.

Two separate release mechanisms are provided for Charpy and Izod tests. The latching tube for
Charpy test is fixed on the top bracket. The latch on the end of latch tube is to be operated by the two
release leavers. The release lever is mechanically locked against the lock lever. Hence latch can be
operated only after operating lock lever by left hand followed by operating release lever by right hand.
This arrangement ensures safety of the operator as both the hands are engaged in operation.
 The release for Izod test consists of the latching tube, the latch and the release lever. It is to be
fastened to the machine by means of facing plates provided. One plate each is to be mounted on the
bearing brackets and another on guards. The mechanism is to be arranged only while carrying out Izod
test.

The indicating mechanism consists of a dial fixed on the front stand and the indicating pointer
which moves over the dial. The pointer carrier is mounted on the centre shaft and moves along with the
pendulum. The indicating pointer indicates the energy absorbed by the specimen after rapture.

The braking arrangement for stopping the pendulum swing after rapture consists of the braking
strip having a leather lining at the top. The brake is to be operated by the brake lever.

TEST PIECE: - Impact test specimen for Charpy and Izod tests must be prepared according to the
enclosed sketch No. 2 conforming to Is 1499-1959 and IS 1598-1960.

The notch is produced either by milling or grinding. The plane of symmetry of notch shall be
perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the test pieces. The notch shall be carefully prepared so that no
groves appear at the base of the notch.

TEST PROCEDURE: - Fix up the Izod striker and the two bushes of the hammer side plates to their
respective positions. Mount the latching tube of Izod test on the bearings brackets and the guards by
means of the given fixing plates. Loosen the clamping screw of the support and insert the test specimen.
Align the centre line of the notch in the planes of support top, by using the setting gauge and clamp the
specimen by clamping screw. Touch the striker to the test specimen and adjust the indicating pointer to
the 16 kgm. Adjust the pointer carrier in such a way that it just touches the indicating pointer. Lift the
pendulum by hand till it gets latches in position. For releasing the pendulum operate the Izod release
lever. The further steps may be followed as given in 5.1 to obtain the energy absorbed by the test
specimen. For removing the broken specimen, hold the specimen by hand and remove same after
loosening the clamping screw.

PRECAUTIONS: - The machine should be installed in such a way that the swinging range of the pendulum
does by no means project into spaces which are subjected to traffic. The working place is to be
safeguard against hitting by stray pieces of broken specimen. Before any test care should be taken to
correct striker and supports.

Confirm the tightness of all the fixing screws of supports strikers, Izod bushes etc.
Do not allow any body to stand by near the machine and particularly in the area falling in the pendulum
swing.

While fixing or removing of supports/strikers and while the machine is idle, please confirm that the
pendulum hammer is positively supported in the horizontal position by means of a wooden block placed
on the guards.

Do not operate the machine if the release mechanism is found defective.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION: -

(a) Charpy Test: -

K = Kg/m

A = cm2

(b) Izod Test

K = Kg/m

A = cm2

The notch impact strength (I) is calculated as per the following formula:

K
I 
A

Where

K = Impact energy absorbed by the specimen during rapture in Kgm.

A = Area of cross section of specimen below the notch before test in cm2.

I = Impact strength in Kg/m/cm2

The notch impact strength, to a great extent depends on the shape of the specimen and accuracy of
the notch. The value determined with other specimens, therefore, may not be exactly same even if
the specimens are derived from the same stock.