Impact Test

IMPACT TEST
Objective
To determine the impact strength of mild steel by Charpy impact test.
Apparatus
 Impact testing machine
 A Mild steel specimen 55mm × 10mm × 10mm
Introduction
Notched-bar impact test of metals provides information on failure mode under high velocity loading
conditions leading sudden fracture where a sharp stress raiser (notch) is present. The energy absorbed at
fracture is generally related to the area under the stress-strain curve which is termed as toughness in some
references. Brittle materials have a small area under the stress-strain curve (due to its limited toughness) and
as a result, little energy is absorbed during impact failure. As plastic deformation capability of the materials
(ductility) increases, the area under the curve also increases and absorbed energy and respectively
toughness increase. Similar characteristics can be seen on the fracture surfaces of broken specimens. The
fracture surfaces for low energy impact failures, indicating brittle behavior, are relatively smooth and have
crystalline appearance in the metals. On the contrary, those for high energy fractures have regions of shear
where the fracture surface is inclined about 45° to the tensile stress, and have rougher and more highly
deformed appearance, called fibrous fracture.
Diagrams
Figure 1.1: Impact Testing Specimen
Figure 1.2: Charpy Impact Testing Machine
Theory
An impact test signifies toughness of material that is ability of material to absorb energy during plastic
deformation. Static tension tests of specimens do not always reveal the susceptibility of a metal to brittle
fracture. This important factor is determined by impact test. Toughness takes into account both the strength
and ductility of the material. Several engineering materials have to withstand impact or suddenly applied
loads while in service. Impact strengths are generally lower as compared to strengths achieved under slowly
applied loads. Of all types of impact tests, the notch bar tests are most extensively used. Therefore, the
impact test measures the energy necessary to fracture a standard notch bar by applying a sudden load. The
test measures the notch toughness of material under shock loading. Values obtained from these tests are not
of much utility to design problems directly and are highly arbitrary. Still it is important to note that it
provides a good way of comparing toughness of various materials or toughness of the same material under
different conditions. This test can also be used to assess the ductile brittle transition temperature of the
material occurring due to lowering of temperature.
Procedure
a) With the striking hammer (pendulum) in safe test position, firmly hold the steel specimen in impact
testing machine in such a way that the notch faces the hammer and is half inside and half above the top
surface of the vice.
b) Bring the striking hammer to its top most striking position unless it is already there, and lock it at that
position.
c) Bring indicator of the machine to zero.
d) The specimen is placed on supports or anvil so that the blow of hammer is opposite to the notch.
e) Release the hammer. It will fall due to gravity and break the specimen through its momentum, the total
energy is not absorbed by the specimen. Then, it continues to swing.
f) At its top most height after breaking the specimen, the indicator stops moving, while the pendulum falls
back. Note the indicator at that top most final position.
Results and Discussion
Figure 1.3: Specimen before Impact testing
Figure 1.4 Specimen after Impact testing
Impact Energy Absorption

The impact testing results revealed that mild steel exhibited significant toughness. The energy absorbed by
the specimens, as measured by the impact testing machine, varied slightly but consistently indicated high
toughness.
Sample Energy
1 34J
2 26J
3 29J
4 31J
The above table shows the energy absorbed by each specimen, indicating a high degree of consistency and
reliability in the material's performance.
The results confirm that mild steel possesses considerable toughness, making it suitable for applications
where dynamic loading is anticipated. The material’s performance across different temperatures highlights
its versatility but also underscores the need for caution in extremely cold environments, where brittleness
could lead to sudden failure.
Conclusion
The impact testing of mild steel demonstrated the following key findings:
- Mild steel has high toughness, absorbing significant impact energy.
- Fracture characteristics vary with temperature, shifting from ductile at higher temperatures to brittle at
lower temperatures.
These results underscore the importance of material testing in understanding performance under real-world
conditions. Mild steel’s high toughness and predictable behavior under various temperatures make it a
reliable choice for a wide range of applications.
References
1) Francois, D., and Pineau, A., 2002, From Charpy to Present Impact Testing, Elsevier, Oxford, Chap. 1.
2) Metals Handbook, 9th ed., Mechanical Testing, Vol. 8, 1990.
3) G. Dieter, Mechanical Metallurgy, SI ed., Mc Graw Hill, 1986.
4) N. Dowling, Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Prentice Hall, 1993.
5) ASTM and TS Standards

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IMPACT TEST

Figure 1.1: Impact Testing Specimen

Figure 1.2: Charpy Impact Testing Machine

Results and Discussion

Figure 1.3: Specimen before Impact testing

Figure 1.4 Specimen after Impact testing

Impact Energy Absorption

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