Izod Impact Test: Procedure, Formula, Standards, and Applications
Plastics that feel strong in the hand can still shatter when something hits them at speed, and a mould design, a filler, or even a change in cooling rate can quietly turn a tough grade into a brittle one. The Izod Impact Test exists to catch that change early. It measures the energy a notched plastic bar absorbs when a swinging pendulum strikes it, and the result tells you how resistant the material is to sudden shock. Two standards govern the method. ASTM D256 is the most common in North America and includes several variants, such as Method A for a standard notched cantilever and Method C for a reversed notch. ISO 180 is the international equivalent, and its units differ slightly. In both, the specimen is moulded or machined to about 63.5 mm by 12.7 mm by 3.2 mm, with a 45-degree notch cut 2.54 mm deep and a tip radius of 0.25 mm. The notch must be clean, since a rough one can lower the reading by a surprising margin. Before testing, specimens are conditioned for at least 40 h...