Impact Resistance Testing Service – Comprehensive Evaluation of Material Toughness and Structural Integrity Under Dynamic Loading
As an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited independent testing laboratory, we offer specialised impact resistance testing services to manufacturers, engineering contractors, and quality assurance teams across the automotive, aerospace, construction, pipeline, packaging, and consumer goods sectors. Impact resistance – the ability of a material or component to withstand a sudden, high‑rate application of force – is a critical performance parameter for products exposed to accidental drops, collision loads, projectile strikes, and dynamic service conditions. Our impact test protocols simulate a wide range of real‑world impact scenarios – including falling‑mass impacts, pendulum impacts, projectile impacts, and low‑velocity impacts – to quantify the energy absorption, fracture behaviour, and damage tolerance of your materials and finished products. All methods are aligned with ISO, ASTM, EN, and GB standards, including ISO 148‑1 (Charpy impact test), ASTM E23 (Notched bar impact testing), ISO 179‑1 (Charpy impact of plastics), ASTM D256 (Izod impact of plastics), ISO 6603‑2 (Instrumented puncture test of plastics), ASTM D5628 (Impact resistance of rigid plastics), EN 1317 (Road restraint systems), and GB/T 229 (Charpy impact test for metals). Our reports are recognised by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), and international certification bodies for product registration, type approval, and quality assurance.
Materials and Products We Regularly Test
Our impact testing facilities accommodate a wide range of material types, product forms, and finished components. Typical test articles include:
- Metallic materials and alloys – structural steels, aluminium alloys, titanium alloys, cast irons, and stainless steels for construction, automotive, and aerospace applications
- Polymers and plastics – thermoplastics (ABS, PC, PP, PA, PE), thermosets (epoxy, phenolic), and engineering plastics
- Composite materials – glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP), carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP), and hybrid composites
- Automotive components – bumpers, body panels, interior trims, and chassis components
- Pipeline and pressure equipment – line pipes, pressure vessels, and pipe fittings
- Packaging materials – rigid packaging, plastic containers, and protective packaging
- Construction materials – concrete, masonry, tiles, and cladding panels
- Protective equipment – safety helmets, guards, and impact‑absorbing panels
- Weldments and welded assemblies – including weld metal, fusion line, and heat‑affected zone (HAZ) testing
Charpy V‑Notch Impact Testing – For Metallic Materials – ISO 148‑1 / ASTM E23 / GB/T 229
- Test specimen preparation – standard Charpy V‑notch specimens (10 mm × 10 mm × 55 mm) – We prepare standard Charpy specimens with a 2 mm deep V‑notch (45° included angle, 0.25 mm root radius). The specimens are machined from the test material (plates, bars, or sections) and conditioned at the test temperature (typically 20 °C, 0 °C, -20 °C, or -40 °C) for a minimum of 2 hours before testing.
- Pendulum impact test – measuring the energy absorbed during fracture – We place the specimen on the anvil of a calibrated pendulum impact tester (capacity 15‑600 J) and release the pendulum from a specified height. The energy absorbed by the specimen during fracture (in Joules) is recorded. The test is performed on a minimum of three specimens, and the average impact energy (in J) and the individual values are reported.
- Fracture appearance assessment – shear fracture percentage and lateral expansion – After the test, we examine the fracture surface to determine the percentage of shear (ductile) fracture versus cleavage (brittle) fracture. We also measure the lateral expansion (the increase in thickness on the compression side) as an additional indicator of ductility. The fracture appearance provides important information about the material's ductile‑to‑brittle transition behaviour.
- Temperature‑dependent impact testing – for determining the ductile‑to‑brittle transition temperature (DBTT) – We perform Charpy impact testing at a series of temperatures (e.g., -60 °C, -40 °C, -20 °C, 0 °C, 20 °C) to determine the DBTT. The DBTT is the temperature at which the impact energy drops rapidly and the fracture appearance changes from ductile to brittle. The DBTT is reported, and the material is evaluated against the specified minimum impact energy requirement at the design temperature.
Izod Impact Testing – For Plastics and Polymers – ISO 179‑1 / ASTM D256 / GB/T 1843
- Test specimen preparation – Izod notched and unnotched specimens – We prepare standard Izod specimens (typically 64 mm × 12.7 mm × thickness) with a V‑notch (2.5 mm deep, 45° included angle) for notched testing, or without a notch for unnotched testing. The specimens are conditioned at the specified temperature and humidity (typically 23 °C, 50 % RH) for a minimum of 48 hours.
- Pendulum impact test – measuring the impact strength of plastics – We clamp the specimen in a vice and strike it with a pendulum hammer (capacity 0.5‑50 J). The energy absorbed per unit width (J/m or kJ/m²) is recorded. For notched specimens, the impact strength is expressed as J/m; for unnotched specimens, it is expressed as J/m². The test is performed on a minimum of five specimens, and the average value and the coefficient of variation (CV) are reported.
- Temperature‑conditioned Izod testing – for assessing low‑temperature toughness of plastics – We perform Izod impact testing at sub‑zero temperatures (e.g., -10 °C, -20 °C, -40 °C) using a temperature‑controlled chamber to assess the cold‑temperature toughness of plastics and elastomers.
Instrumented Falling‑Mass Impact Testing – For Plastics, Composites and Components – ISO 6603‑2 / ASTM D5628 / GB/T 14485
- Specimen preparation – flat plates, discs, or finished components – We prepare specimens (typically 100‑200 mm diameter discs or 50‑100 mm square plates) of the test material. The thickness of the specimen is measured and recorded. For finished components, we test the component as‑received.
- Impact test – a falling mass (5‑50 kg) with a hemispherical or flat striker – We release a calibrated falling mass from a specified height to impact the specimen. The impact energy (in J) is calculated from the mass and the drop height. The striker is instrumented with a load cell to record the force‑time history during the impact. The test is performed on a minimum of five specimens, and the failure mode (ductile, brittle, or mixed) is recorded.
- Data analysis – peak force, energy to peak, and total energy – the primary parameters from instrumented impact tests – From the force‑time curve, we determine: (a) the peak force (in N) – the maximum force during the impact; (b) the energy to peak – the energy absorbed up to the peak force; and (c) the total energy – the total energy absorbed during the entire impact event. A high total energy indicates good impact resistance.
- Failure mode analysis – classification of the failure (ductile, brittle, or mixed) – We examine the impacted specimen to determine the failure mode: (a) ductile – the specimen is permanently deformed but not broken; (b) brittle – the specimen is cracked or shattered; (c) mixed – a combination of ductile and brittle behaviour. The failure mode is correlated with the impact energy and the material properties.
Dart and Falling‑Mass Impact Testing – For Packaging and Thin Materials – ASTM D1709 / ISO 7765‑1 / GB/T 9639
- Dart drop impact test – for films and thin sheets – We use a dart impact tester with a specified dart (hemispherical or flat) and a variable drop height. The test is performed in two stages: the first stage determines the failure energy (the energy at which 50 % of the specimens fail), and the second stage uses the Bruceton staircase method to determine the impact failure weight. The result is expressed as the impact failure weight (in g) or as the impact energy (in J).
- Falling‑mass impact on rigid packaging – ASTM D5628 / ISO 6603‑2 – For rigid packaging (bottles, containers, pails), we perform a falling‑mass impact test by dropping a specified weight from a specified height onto the container. The container is inspected for cracking, leakage, or deformation. The test is used to assess the resistance of packaging to drops during handling and transport.
- Temperature‑conditioned dart impact – for assessing low‑temperature brittleness – We condition the specimen at a sub‑zero temperature (e.g., -20 °C, -40 °C) and then perform the dart impact test. The low‑temperature impact energy is compared to the room‑temperature impact energy to determine the temperature sensitivity of the material.
Projectile and High‑Velocity Impact Testing – For Armour and Protective Systems
- Ballistic impact testing – for armour and protective components – NIJ 0101.06 / EN 1063 / GB/T 20058 – We test the resistance of materials and panels to high‑velocity projectiles using a gas‑gun or powder‑gun system. The projectile velocity and the penetration depth (or the amount of back‑face deformation) are measured. The test is performed at a specified threat level (e.g., Level II, Level III, Level IV).
- Fragment simulation projectile (FSP) testing – for anti‑fragmentation protection – We test the resistance of materials to fragmentation by firing a standard fragment‑simulating projectile (FSP) at a specified velocity. The penetration or the back‑face deformation is measured.
- Drop‑weight impact on safety glass and glazing – for assessing resistance to breakage – We perform a drop‑weight impact test on glazing and safety glass by dropping a specified weight from a specified height. The impact energy and the presence of cracks (or the extent of cracking) are recorded.
Regulatory Compliance and Product Certification – Supporting Industry Standards
Our impact resistance testing services are performed in accordance with the most widely used international and national standards. The most commonly requested include:
- ISO 148‑1 – Metallic materials – Charpy pendulum impact test – Part 1: Test method – the international standard for Charpy impact testing of metals
- ASTM E23 – Standard Test Methods for Notched Bar Impact Testing of Metallic Materials – the North American standard for Charpy impact testing
- ISO 179‑1 – Plastics – Determination of Charpy impact properties – Part 1: Non‑instrumented impact test – for Charpy impact testing of plastics
- ASTM D256 – Standard Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics – for Izod impact testing of plastics
- ISO 6603‑2 – Plastics – Determination of puncture impact behaviour of rigid plastics – Part 2: Instrumented impact testing – for instrumented falling‑mass impact testing
- ASTM D5628 – Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid Plastic Specimens by Means of a Falling Dart – for falling‑mass impact of plastics
- GB/T 229 – Metallic materials – Charpy pendulum impact test method – the Chinese national standard for Charpy impact testing
- GB/T 1843 – Plastics – Determination of Izod impact strength – the Chinese national standard for Izod impact testing
- GB/T 14485 – Plastics – Determination of puncture impact behaviour of rigid plastics – the Chinese national standard for puncture impact testing
Report Acceptance and Regulatory Recognition
All impact resistance tests are conducted under our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, using calibrated pendulum impact testers, falling‑mass testers, and instrumentation, all traceable to national and international reference standards. Our final test reports include: a complete description of the test article (material, dimensions, manufacturer), the test method and conditions (temperature, impact energy, striker geometry), the measured parameters (impact energy, peak force, failure mode, shear percentage, lateral expansion), a statistical summary (mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation), and a clear pass/fail verdict against your specified acceptance criteria. These reports are accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), and international certification bodies for product registration, type approval, and quality assurance. Bilingual (English/Chinese) versions are available to facilitate submissions to domestic and international authorities and to support your global market access.
