Experiment # 7: Izod Impact Test for given Material

Objective
The Izod test is most commonly used to evaluate the relative toughness or impact toughness of
materials and as such is often used in quality control applications where it is a fast and
economical test. It is used more as a comparative test rather than a definitive test. This is also in
part due to the fact that the values do not relate accurately to the impact strength of moulded
parts or actual components under actual operational conditions.
Apparatus/Specimen
1. Impact Testing Machine

2. Metal Specimen

Procedure:
1. With the striking hammer (pendulum) in safe test position, firmly hold the steel specimen in
impact testing machines vice in such a way that the no tch face the hammer and is half inside and

half above the top surface of the vice.

2. Bring the striking hammer to its top most striking position unless it is already there, and lock
it at that position.
3. Bring indicator of the machine to zero.
4. 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.
5. Then it continues to swing. At its topmost height after breaking the specimen, the indicator
stops moving, while the pendulum falls back.
6. Note the indicator at that top most final position.
7. Again bring back the hammer to its idle position

Observation
1. Brass
Length = 72 cm

Breadth = 0.9 cm
Height = 0.9 cm
2. Aluminum
Length = 72 cm
Breadth = 0.9 cm
Height = 0.9 cm
3. Mild Steel
Length = 72 cm
Breadth = 0.9 cm
Height = 0.9 cm
Observation table
MATERIALS

Initial Energy

Final Energy

ALUMINUM
BRASS
MILD
STEEL

17 kg.m
17kg.m
17kg.m

15.2kg.m
17.6kg.m
5.9kg.m

Shock Absorb
Capacity (Initial
Final)
1.8kg.m
0.6kg.m
11.1kg.m

Remarks
Break
Break
Break

Results/Conclusion.
A higher toughness material will absorb more energy upon impact and will therefore result
in alow height to which the pendulum arm will swing to following impact.The more energy
absorbed by the specimen, the more toughness the material will be
Specimen with lowest absorbed energy means its brittle and has least toughness
which can break easily and cannot withstand the sudden high loads which is in this testwas
specimen number for this test.
Specimen with Highest absorbed energy means its ductile and has highest toughness which can
withstand the sudden high loads which is in this test was specimen number (8) for both IZOD test.