Impact Testing

Impact tests are fundamental tests for evaluating a material’s resistance to sudden, high-speed stresses. These tests simulate real-world conditions in which a component may be subjected to accidental shock or impact, allowing its ability to absorb energy to be determined.

Impact tests are widely used in industries such as aerospace and automotive to ensure the safety and reliability of the materials used.

Performing impact tests allows the ductility, brittleness and toughness of a material or component to be analyzed, providing essential data for selecting the most suitable alloys for specific applications.

The results of these tests are critical in verifying the proper design of structural components, as they allow prediction of material behavior in critical situations, such as collisions or falls.

Through impact testing, the performance of materials can be improved by optimizing production processes and heat treatments to increase their strength and durability.

All the tests of the impact tests

TEC Eurolab performs different types of impact tests to analyze materials and components subjected to sudden stresses.
In the mechanical testing department, TEC Eurolab performs impact tests (or resilience tests) using the Charpy method on metallic, polymeric, and composite materials. This particular impact test requires the use of the Charpy pendulum, which strikes the specimen in one blow to measure the energy absorbed prior to fracture.
The other type of impact testing, on the other hand, is performed in the Test Engineering Department directly on finished components with weight-drop systems. The use of advanced sensor technology makes it possible to acquire detailed data on impact strength, strain and fracture propagation, and calculate the energy absorbed by the impact zone.

Impact tests in TEC Eurolab: method of execution and test conditions

To perform impact tests that give reliable and accurate results, TEC Eurolab uses strict and planned procedures.

Regarding impact tests performed on materials, the procedure must be standardized and comply with the main regulatory standards provided for resilience tests (UNI EN ISO 148-1 and ASTM E23). The first step is to prepare the sample, which must be a specimen with a specific notch, which is then placed on two supports and struck by a free-falling Charpy pendulum. The test can be performed at room temperature or at low temperature and measures the energy absorbed by the material before fracture. As for drop system impact tests, however, these are performed on both standardized specimens and non-standardized components, so even when there are no international standards to follow, the actual operating conditions of the component and the assemblies are simulated accurately. For these impact tests, TEC Eurolab uses weight-drop systems, in which a mass is released from a predetermined height to replicate real impacts. Tests can be performed under specific environmental conditions to replicate the operating environment of the tested materials.

Materials tested, technologies used, and sectors involved in impact testing

At TEC Eurolab we perform impact tests on different materials and for different sectors, specific equipment and technologies for each type of test. In the next sections we elaborate on the materials tested, the sectors involved and the technologies used.

Materials tested

TEC Eurolab performs impact tests on a wide range of materials and components, with the aim of evaluating their impact resistance and ability to absorb energy before fracture. The most commonly tested materials for impact testing are:

metal materials and components: structural steels, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, titanium and other light alloys;
Polymeric materials and components: rigid and thermoplastic plastics;
Composite materials and components: carbon fibers and fiberglass.

Technologies used

TEC Eurolab uses advanced machinery and technology to ensure reliable and repeatable test results in accordance with international standards and the actual conditions under which the component is used. The machinery used for impact testing at TEC Eurolab:

Charpy pendulum: used for the Charpy impact test (or resilience test), allows the energy absorbed by a notched specimen at the time of fracture to be measured;
Weight-drop systems: used to simulate real impacts on industrial components. This method allows analysis of energy absorption capacity and any post-impact deformation;
Climatic chambers: integrated into the tests to perform impact tests under specific environmental conditions, such as very low temperatures or controlled humidity, allowing simulation of actual material use;
Data acquisition and imaging systems: used to analyze fracture propagation and deformation in tested materials, ensuring thorough evaluation of results.

Sectors involved

Among the main areas involved in impact testing:

Automotive: assessing the impact resistance of structural components to improve vehicle protection in collisions. Specific tests such as Charpy impact testing on steels and light alloys help optimize the passive safety of vehicles;
Aerospace: performance testing of advanced materials such as carbon fibers and special alloys, tested with high-speed impacts to simulate atmospheric debris and extreme operating conditions.
Manufacturing and industrial: quality control of metallic and polymeric materials used in machinery and infrastructure to ensure reliability and durability.
Packaging and industrial packaging: testing of plastic and composite materials for impact resistance during transportation and handling of delicate goods.

Determine the impact resistivity of your materials

For your impact tests ask TEC Eurolab

TEC Eurolab provides a complete service for your impact tests, being able to analyze both the material, thanks to the use of the Charpy pendulum, and the finished component, thanks to the drop towers of the Test Engineering department.

With decades of experience and qualified technicians, we can perform impact tests that guarantee reliable results that meet international standards. The ability to perform tests under controlled environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures or high humidity, allows us to evaluate the performance of materials in real-world scenarios, increasing the reliability and safety of products. Relying on our laboratory means choosing a reliable, professional and customer-focused partner.

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