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Impact Testing Lab

LTI’s Impact Testing Lab near Philadelphia performs Charpy and drop weight testing on metals across a temperature range of -452°F to 500°F. NIST-approved for Charpy V-notch specimens.

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Laboratory Testing’s (LTI) Impact Testing Lab, located near Philadelphia, offers metal impact testing using the drop weight test and Charpy impact testing methods, including the Charpy V-notch test and the weld Charpy test. We can conduct testing at temperatures of -452ºF to 500ºF with an impact energy of up to 320 ft. lbs.

Why Impact Testing?

Impact testing of metals is performed to determine the impact resistance or toughness of materials by calculating the amount of energy absorbed during fracture. The impact test is performed at various temperatures to uncover any effects on impact energy. These services provide test results that can be useful in assessing the suitability of a material for a specific application and predicting its expected service life.

LTI’s Impact Testing Lab Capabilities

Types of Testing:

  • Charpy Impact Test: Determines the toughness or impact strength of the material in the presence of a flaw or notch and fast loading conditions. A swinging pendulum fractures notched specimens at a series of temperatures; the energy absorbed during fracture is measured. V-notch, U-notch, and weld Charpy specimens are used.
  • Drop Weight Impact Test: Determines the temperature at which the fracture mode of steel changes from ductile to brittle using a free-falling weight or striker.

Temperatures:

  • -452ºF to 500ºF

Impact Energy:

  • Up to 320 ft. lbs.

Materials Tested:

  • Metals

Specimen Machining:

  • In-house machine shop prepares drop weight, izod and charpy test specimens; NIST approved for charpy V-notch test specimens.

Standards

  • ASTM A370
  • ASTM E23
  • ASTM E208
  • ISO 148

The LTI Advantage

LTI has extensive in-house machining capabilities enabling us to quickly prepare precision specimens for our Impact Testing Lab. Our full-service machine shop prepares all metal impact specimens with the latest CNC equipment. LTI is on the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Qualified Manufacturers List for Charpy V-notch impact verification specimens

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Charpy and Izod impact testing?

Both tests measure a material’s toughness by striking a notched specimen with a pendulum, but they differ in how the specimen is held. In the Charpy test, the specimen is supported horizontally at both ends and struck from behind the notch. In the Izod test, the specimen is held vertically like a cantilever and struck at the top. Charpy is more widely specified in industrial and structural applications; Izod is more common in plastics testing.

What industries require impact testing?

Impact testing is commonly required in aerospace, defense, oil and gas, pressure vessel manufacturing, shipbuilding, power generation, and structural steel fabrication. It is frequently mandated by engineering specifications and codes such as ASME, AWS, and API to verify that materials will perform safely at operating temperatures.

At what temperatures can impact testing be performed?

LTI’s Impact Testing Lab performs testing across a range of -452°F to 500°F, covering cryogenic applications such as liquefied natural gas equipment as well as elevated-temperature service conditions.

Does LTI machine the test specimens?

Yes. LTI has an in-house machine shop with CNC equipment that prepares all impact test specimens, including Charpy, drop weight, and Izod specimens. LTI is on NIST’s Qualified Manufacturers List for Charpy V-notch impact verification specimens.

What standards does LTI’s impact testing comply with?

Testing is performed in accordance with ASTM A370, ASTM E23, ASTM E208, and ISO 148.

 

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