ImpactToughness
Impact toughness is a material property that describes the ability to absorb energy and resist fracture when subjected to sudden or rapidly applied loads. It combines aspects of strength and ductility into a measure of notch-sensitive fracture resistance. In practice, impact toughness is quantified using Charpy V-notch or Izod tests, where a notched specimen is struck by a pendulum and the energy absorbed until fracture is recorded in joules. Charpy specimens are typically mounted horizontally with a V-shaped notch, while Izod specimens are clamped in a standing position with the notch facing the impact. The results reflect both plastic deformation and crack initiation/propagation and are influenced by temperature, notch geometry, and specimen size.
The property is strongly temperature dependent. Many metals show a ductile-to-brittle transition, with higher toughness at
Applications and interpretation: impact toughness informs design against sudden or dynamic loads, such as impacts, shocks,