DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

COURSE CODE: CEMB121

EXPERIMENT NO 7: Impact Test

Groupe members:
1. Abdullah Al Awlaqi CE01083274
2. Mohammed Osama CE01083235
3. Al Momhammed Karrar CE01082998

1|Page
TITLE : IMPACT TEST LEVEL 1 (Guided)

PREAMBLE Introduction

This is an experimental determination of both tensile strength and hardness

testing; the test pieced is loaded continuously and slowly. How a material reacts
to a sudden tension due to a quick blow or impact, is shown by means of an
impact tester.

Objectives

The objective of this experiment is to investigate the impact strength of

polymers.

Learning Outcomes

Ability to conduct setup and conduct experiment and collect data from
impact test.
Ability to interpret data from the impact strength from three different types
of polymer.

Theories Theory

The test is completed using a drop hammer mounted as a pendulum which

breaks a test piece. In Europe, the test is completed by the Charpy method, which
consists of placing the test piece between two supports
In the USA, the Izod method is used. This entails fixing the test piece and allowing
the pendulum to break off a piece of the test piece (Figure 7.1).

2|Page
 Figure 7.1 Pendulum Impact Tester

Test pieces:

1. Charpy test-piece can have slightly different instruction as to how the test
is conducted.
2. Keyhole and U test-pieces give equally good results. The specific impact
energy or impact unit KCU is measured in kJ/m2.
3. For U test-pieces the impact energy or impact strength kV, is measured
in J (joules).
4. There is no sure method of calculation of impact energy for test pieces,
for test carried out with different instructions on the test piece.

3|Page
 Impact Strength:

To able to calculate the impact strength KCU, the pendulum potential energy
when released is first calculated.

K = F * LR (

The potential energy in the pendulum after is has broken the piece is than
calculated:

T = F * LR (1 – cos a2 )

The energy consumed when breaking the test piece is than E = K – T, neglecting
friction and wind resistance losses. To calculate the impact strength KCU, the
energy received is divided by the cross sectional area of the test piece. The
impact test apparatus can be graduated directly in joules.

4|Page
 OF
WAYS & MEANS or APPARATUS
(DESIGN
EXPERIMENTS The apparatus consists of :
METHODOLOGY) 1. An Impact Tester MT 3076.

MATERIALS

1. Three type polymer specimens.

PROCEDURE

a) Setting the zero point of the start point

Note: Because of friction and wind resistance, the pendulum will not
have the same striking angle as the fall angle. This can be
compensated for by inclining the impact tester slightly. The fall angle
will then be larger and the striking angle less but the scale is fixed
and a non-loaded blow of 15 joules should show a value of 15 joules.
1. Set the pointer to 15 joules (straight down)
2. Raise the pendulum to the start point. Release the pendulum by
means of the black knob.

KEED FINGERS AND HANDS CLEAR OF THE PENDULUM MOTION

THUS AVOIDING JAMMING ACCIDENTS.

5|Page
 3. Stop the pendulum using the friction brake. Take the reading of the
pointer. The pointer should point to zero (0) if the impact tester is
properly set.
4. If the pointer shows more than zero, fixed impact tester should be
angled slightly by inserting a spacer (washer) under the pendulum
side. For the freestanding model, screw down the allen screw using
an MOO allen key.
5. If the pointer shows more than zero, i.e. the pointer is over the scale,
then the spacer (washer), shall be placed under the back edge for
fixed models end the allen screw in the free standing model, turned
anti-clockwise (upwards)
6. Check the setting with an unloaded test. Complete further
adjustment until exactly zero is registered.

b) Testing.
1. The test piece is placed on the supports so that the break indentation
faces the direction of the pendulum swing and that indent is exactly
in the middle of the supports.

2. Raise the pendulum to the start point.

3. Set the pointer to 15 joules, i.e. straight down.
4. Release the pendulum by turning the black knob, top right. KEEPS
HANDS CLEAR. The test piece is broken off.
5. Stop the pendulum by lifting the friction brake. Be sure that the
pendulum is at standstill before removing the test pieces.
6. The energy consumed when breaking the test piece can now be read
directly from the scale, indicated by the pointer.
7. Read and note the value of the impact energy. Calculate the fracture
area and subsequently the impact strength.

6|Page
Length of sample = 60.00mm
Width if sample = 10.00mm
Thickness of sample = 10.00mm
Length of pendulum, LR = 10.00mm

Test. Carbon Fracture Impact A 1 (0 ) A 2 (0 ) Exp. KCU Theory

content area energy (J/cm2) KCU
(cm2) (J/cm2)
1 LOW 0.1 2.234 3.33 17.19 22.34 22.34

2 Mid 0.1 2.051 0.09 16.47 20.51 20.54

3 High 0.1 2.314 -0.36 17.51 23.14 23.19

7|Page
Analysis:
“Symbol of calculations”:

K = F * LR (

(15) (10) (1 + sin( 17.19 – 90 ) = 22.34

T = F * LR (1 – cos( a2 ))

T = F * LR (1- cos( 17.19 ) = 22.34

8|Page
Discussion:

The impact energy in a simple pendulum system depends on both the mass of the pendulum
hammer and the height at which it is released due to the principles of potential and kinetic
energy.
Potential Energy (PE): The potential energy of an object in a gravitational field is given by the
formula PE = mgh, where:

m is the mass of the object

g is the acceleration
h is the hight above the reference point

Kinetic Energy (KE): The kinetic energy of an object in motion is given by

2KE=mv2/2, where:

m is the mass of the object

v is the velocity
the energy absorbed in a Charpy impact test is calculated based on the potential energy difference
of the swinging pendulum before and after the impact. This energy difference represents the
energy required to fracture the specimen and is a measure of its toughness.
Stress is related to Load: Both stress and load involve force, but stress is normalized by the cross-
sectional area.
Strain is related to Extension: Both strain and extension involve changes in size or shape, but strain
is a normalized measure of deformation.

So , when discussing the behaviour of materials under load, stress is associated with the force
applied per unit area, and strain is associated with the resulting deformation or extension of the
material.

 Key differences between shape of a load/extension graph for ductile material

compared to a brittle material:
 Ductile materials exhibit plastic deformation and necking before fracture, resulting in a
more gradual decrease in stress after the yield point.
 Brittle materials lack significant plastic deformation, and the fracture is sudden, leading to a
steep drop in stress without a well-defined yield point.
 These graphs are generalizations, and the actual behaviour can vary depending on the
specific material and testing conditions. The key distinction lies in the ductility of the
material, with ductile materials exhibiting more extensive deformation before failure
compared to brittle materials.
9|Page
Conclusion:

In conclusion, the behaviour of materials under an applied load is effectively

represented by stress-strain (or load-extension) curves. Ductile materials, characterized
by their ability to undergo substantial plastic deformation before failure, typically
exhibit stress-strain curves with distinct yield points, plastic deformation regions, and a
gradual decrease in stress leading to ultimate fracture. In contrast, brittle materials,
which lack significant plasticity, display linear stress-strain curves without a well-defined
yield point, culminating in sudden and often catastrophic fracture.

Understanding these stress-strain curves is crucial in materials science and engineering

for designing structures and components that can withstand applied loads. Ductile
materials are preferred in applications where deformation before failure is desirable,
allowing for warning signs and redistributing stress. Brittle materials, while possessing
high strength, are more prone to sudden failure, making them suitable for certain
applications where that behaviour is acceptable. The unique features of these curves
provide valuable insights into the mechanical properties and performance of materials
in various engineering scenarios.

10 | P a g e