INTRODUCTION

The test consists of breaking by one blow from a swinging pendulum, under conditions
defined by standards, a test piece notched in the middle and supported at each end. The
energy absorbed is determined in joules. This absorbed energy is a measure of the impact
strength of a material. The test bar, notched in the centre, is located on two supports. The
hammer will fracture the test bar and the absorption energy (in Joule) is an indication for the
resistance of the material to shock loads.

OBJECTIVE
To develop an understanding of fracture toughness.
To investigate the notched bar impact work and strength of various engineering
materials.
To investigate the influence of the notch shape on the notched bar impact work.

THEORY
In this test the specimen is positioned across the lowest point in the path of a striker mounted at
the end of a pendulum. The striker, having been initially lifted to a specific height h1, and then
released, swings against the specimen and breaks it. The striker continues its swing to the
other side of the specimen to a height h2. Clearly the difference between the two heights
multiplied by the weight of the striker corresponds to the amount of energy that is absorbed in
fracture. The formula for charpy impact test is : E = mgh - mgh (Nm or J)

TOOL AND EQUIPMENT

Charpy impact test machine

Charpy specimen

PROCEDURE
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Measure the thickness of the sample.

Check the zero calibration of the charpy impact tester.
Test a specimen at room temperature.
Put the specimen at the test place.
Raise the pendulum to the length until it indicates the maximum energy range on the
upper indicator unit.
6) Then, release the pendulum.
7) Note fracture energy and estimate the % brittleness from the appearances of fracture
surfaces of the specimens.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Area Of Specimen
Measurement of specimens :
Thickness : 55
Unnotched : 0.2
Total : thickness unnotched
= 54.8

Fracture Energy
Material
Carbon steel (V-notch)

Fracture Energy E(KJ)

90

Impact Strength
Fracture Energy area of specimen
= 90 54.8
= 1.642 KJ /

Discussion
From the results obtain from the experiment, we can see that the specimen fracture
differently. The mild steel fracture but did not broke completely and some part of the steel
still attached therefore it is said to be in the ductile manner. The carbon steel is said to be in
brittle manner although it is harder. The carbon specimen broke completely into 2 part sand
the broken surfaces looks smoother than the mild steel. Carbon steel has lower ductility
compared to the mild steel but the carbon steel is m o r e b r i t t l e t h a n t h e m i l d
s t e e l . T h i s i s b e c a u s e c a r b o n s t e e l h a s h i g h p e r c e n t a g e o f carbon in it
(percentage of carbon in mild steel is less than 0.2%) that lower the ability to absorb energy
when sudden load is given. From the way both specimen cracks and the greyish and fibrous
broken surfaces of the mild steel shows that it undergoes plastic deformation and in the
ductile manner. The carbon steel experience less plastic deformation and the
surfaces looks smoother and shiny. Ductile fracture is better because of the following
reasons:
a) More energy needed in the ductile fracture because it is a tough material
b) Brittle fracture happens quickly without warning while the ductile fracture
took a longer time before the whole process to happen

CONCLUSION
From the Charpy impact test, carbon steel undergoes brittle fracture while the mild steel
undergoes ductile fracture. More energy is absorbed by mild steel shows that it is more
suitable to be use in the structural construction that expose to high load.

Area of rectangular carbon steel = length X height X thickness

= 10mm X 10mm X 55mm
= 55
Area of triangular notch

= X 1cm X 0.2cm X 0.2cm

= 0.02

Therefore, area of specimen

notch

= area of rectangular carbon steel area of

= 5.5

0.02

= 5.48
1. Fracture Energy
Material
Carbon steel (V-notch)

Fracture Energy E(KJ)

61.5

2. Impact strength
Impact strength = Fracture Energy area of specimen
= 61.5 5.48
= 11.23 KJ/