Apparatus and method for calculating penetration force by drop weight impact technique

Because of the limitations that are experienced when trying to perform Charpy and Izod impact tests, the drop weight impact test is preferred over the more conventional impact methods to determine whether the material is brittle or ductile. The drop weight impact technique indicates the conditions under which real-life components would be subject to impact loading. In this study, a drop-weight impact instrument has been designed and manufactured using a dropping weight which impacts the specimens, falls through a perpendicular guide tube with a high range of impact energy levels. Force - deformation and acceleration –time graphs, could be determined by using various sensor systems were installed to calculate the impactor's velocity and the magnitude of the impact force. Consequently, the energy absorption of different materials can be measured and the damage resistance could be indicated.