IMPACT TEST ON MILD STEEL

OBJECTIVES To determine the impact strength of given specimen and to study the behavior of
materials under dynamic loadings.

APPARATUS Pendulum type Impact Testing Machine, Vernier Calipers and scale.

THEORY The ordinary tensile and bending tests are not the true criteria of the impact qualities of a
material. In all cases in which a material is subjected to shock or impact, impact tests should be
conducted upon samples under similar conditions.

1. Charpy Impact Test In this impact test, a specially prepared notched specimen placed horizontally
with the notch facing away from hammer is fractured by a single blow from a heavy hammer, and
energy required to break the specimen is a measure of resistance to Impact. The impact force is
produced by swinging an impact weight (hammer) from a height. Release of the weight from the
height swings the weight through an arc of a circle, which strikes the specimen to fracture at the
notch. Here it is interesting to note that height through which the hammer drops determines the
velocity. Height and mass of the hammer combined determine the energy. Energy used to break the
specimen is measured from the scale given. This is called fracture energy. The difference between
potential energies before and after the impact gives the fracture energy. In the test machine this value
indicated by the pointer on the scale. This energy value called impact toughness or impact value,
which will be measured, per unit area of the notch.

Specification Specimen size= 55x10x10

Type of notch = U - Notch

Depth of notch= 5mm

2. Izod Test The Indian standard method of Izod impact test consists of breaking a specimen by one
blow from a swinging hammer, under specified conditions. A notched test-piece, placed vertically
with the bottom of the notch in the same plane as the upper faces of the hammer grips and the notch
facing the hammer. The blow is struck at a fixed position on the face of the specimen having the
notch. The energy absorbed is read from the circular scale.

Notch Slot or groove of specified characteristics intentionally cut in a test piece so as to concentrate
the stress, and forcing the rupture along that plane. Toughness The ability of a material to absorb
energy and deform plastically before fracture is called toughness. It is usually measured by the energy
absorbed in impact test like Charpy and Izod tests. The area under the stress -strain curve in a tensile
test is also a measure of toughness and as such is proportional to the combined effects of tensile
strength and ductility.

The Izod impact energy (I) i.e, the energy required to break the specimen is obtained directly from the
test.

Specification Specimen size= 75x10x10 Type of notch = V- Notch Angle of notch= 45 Depth of
notch= 2mm
 Relevant Indian Standards 1. Method of Charpy impact test (U-notch) for steel:IS:1499-
1977 2. Method of Izod impact test for steel:IS:1598-1977 3. Method for beam impact (V-notch) on
steel:IS:1757-1988
PROCEDURE

For Izod Impact Test

1. The depth below the notch and breadth of the specimen is measured (i.e ‘b’ and ‘d’). Determine the
effective cross section below the notch.

2. Fix the striker (hammer) in its respective position; place the test specimen vertical as shown in
figure.

3. Align the centre at the specimen notch with respect to centre of support by means of setting gauge.

4. Touch the striker to the test specimen and adjust the indicating pointer to 170 J.

5. Lift the pendulum till it gets latched in its position at 1400 from its vertical axis.

6. Allow the pendulum to swing freely and break the specimen.

7. After rupture apply the brake to the pendulum slowly by operating brake lever.

8. Note down the reading at observed energy directly on the dial as indicated by the indicating pointer.

9. Before proceeding for next test, remove the broken piece of the tested specimen and bring
indicating pointer, striker to its original position at 170J.

For Charpy Test

1. The depth below the notch and breadth of the specimen is measured (i.e ‘b’ and ‘d’). Determine the
effective cross section below the notch.

2. Fix the charpy striker (hammer) in its respective position; place the charpy test specimen on
supports.

3. Align the centre of the specimen notch with respect to centre of support by means of setting gauge.

4. Touch the striker to the test specimen and adjust the indicating pointer to 300J.

5. Lift the pendulum till it gets latched in its position at 1400 from its vertical axis.

6. Allow the pendulum to swing freely and break the specimen.

7. After rupture apply the break to the pendulum slowly by operating break lever.

8. Note down the reading at observed energy directly on the dial as indicated by the indicating pointer.

9. Before proceeding for next test, remove the broken piece of the tested specimen and bring
indicating pointer, striker to its original position at 300J.
RESULTS

For Izod Test:

Average impact value of Mild Steel = Joules

Average impact strength = Joules/cm2

For Charpy Test:

Average impact value of Mild Steel = Joules

Average impact strength = Joules/cm2

DISCUSSIONS & CONCLUSIONS

Significance of notch in impact test specimen:

1. The stress acting in the material is raised to a peak value at the base of the notch, determined by
elastic stress concentration factor.

2. The yield stress of the material is raised by the action of elastic and plastic constraints.
Combination of these effects makes brittle fracture. The part played by stress concentration is to raise
the stress at the root of the notch and provide the large stress necessary to force fracture.