The Izod impact tester is an instrument that is designed to test the toughness of an object or material. The multipurpose instrument measures the resistance to impact by a particular object to determine the amount of energy required to destroy the test material in a vertical position. It is one of the most preferred tests performed to study the physical properties of plastic material. The data generated from the tests help improve the product to enhance quality and durability.

The toughness of an object is defined by its ability to absorb energy without any visible distortion. The Izod/Charpy Impact tester is the standard equipment used within the industry to evaluate impact strength. Commercially available instruments for measuring impact strength vary in features. Hence manufacturers need to choose a supplier that provides quality instruments that perform the test with accurate precision.

What Is Izod Impact Tester?

Plastics are widely used to produce various products required for domestic and industrial use. Some of these plastic products are used for crucial applications. Thus it is extremely important to ensure plastic quality before making it available to consumers. The Izod Impact Tester measures the energy required to break a plastic object by applying free fall pendulum force. This helps manufacturers ensure that the product is fit for the intended use.

Once the product is shipped to consumers, it is subjected to experience varying degrees of force. Low quality It is essential to test plastic objects with utmost precision and control. The instrument is used to perform the globally renowned Izod/Charpy test to evaluate the effect of strength on plastic. Izod and Charpy are two different methods used to test force impact on objects. It differs based on the placement of the test object. For the Izod method, the test object is placed vertically with the notch facing toward the pendulum. While conducting the Charpy test, the test object is placed horizontally with the notch away from the pendulum.

How Does Izod Impact Tester Work?

Step 1: The sample object is notched at a specific depth and measurement. The material is tightened to the instrument to stay secured in place.
Step 2: A pendulum or bar fixed at a defined height on the instrument is released on the test object with full force.
Step 3: The test is performed until the distortion is observed on the test object. The amount of force absorbed by the object efficiently is recorded to define the quality of the material.

Final Thoughts

Ensure you invest in an instrument designed in accordance with specified standards in ASTM D1240, ASTM D256, and ASTM D883. This can help ensure the instrument is built with reliable materials and tested to evaluate the accurate reading of the test. Invest in equipment with a microcontroller-based setting that enables users to set dimensions and parameters. It eliminated the possibility of error while conducting the test. Most companies offer technical assistance and training on the equipment.

Ensure the instrument is powder coated and easy to operate. An ideal instrument should have a hammer selection option along with a precise display of absorbed energy in joules and applied strength in J/mt. An instrument with LCD screens is capable of storing up to 10 test results along with average test values. Various brands like Pacorr provide instruments with different levels of scales and incremental plates attached to the hammer that empower the instrument with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th test parameters.