Assessing materials notch toughness: the Charpy test
The Charpy test is a dynamic test designed to measure the amount of energy that a material can absorb as it fractures. Understanding the energy absorption properties of a material is essential to predict how the material will react to impact loading, and is, therefore, a determining factor in the suitability of a designed material for a particular application.
The test can be performed at a single temperature if toughness criteria have previously been established, or it can show the ductile-to-brittle transition in absorbed energy when a series of tests are performed at several temperatures.
The ductile-to-brittle-transition temperature (DBTT) is a fundamental component of the Charpy test; at this temperature the material properties shift from ductile to brittle characteristics, causing the material to fracture easily. This means that working below the DBTT will increase the risk of unexpected brittle failures.
The results of a Charpy impact test can be compared with each other or with a requirement in acceptance specifications for materials used in impact situations, such as gears, bolts, and shafts. They can be used to determine notch toughness of weld or parent material to qualify various weld procedure requirements.
Learn more about the Charpy test, how it is performed, the test specimens and notch configurations by downloading the article below or contact us to speak with our experts.
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PERFORMING THE CHARPY TEST TO ASSESS MATERIALS NOTCH TOUGHNESS AND SATISFY INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS
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