ISO 180 defines the method used to determine the resistance of plastic to breakage when specimen supported in a cantilevered beam configuration is impacted using a pendulum type system with a hammer whose potential energy is approximately equal to the particular energy required to break the specimen. Test results are used to evaluate the relative toughness or impact toughness of materials. Often used in quality control applications as a fast and economical test it is employed more as a comparative rather than a definitive test. . Different test parameters are specified in the standard according to the type of material that the specimen is made of as well as the type of notch cut in it. While similar to ASTM D256 Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics the defined tests are significantly different and therefore are not interchangeable.
To meet the requirements of the standard we recommend our CEAST 9050 Pendulum – in either manual or motorized version, along with a specimen support vise, properly sized specimen adapter, and hammers. To get a full understating of how the material will react to impact when exposed to sub-ambient temperatures we recommend the inclusion of our Cryo Dispenser.
Specimens to be tested may be either unnotched or notched. To ensure proper notched specimen preparation we suggest the use of either our Motorized Notchvis or Automatic notcher with the appropriate notching knife that meets the desired notch as defined in the test standard.
We recommend reviewing the test standard to fully understand the test set-up, procedure, results requirements as well as the specimen preparation requirements.