ISO 179-1-2023 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 179-1:2023 — Plastics — Determination of Charpy impact properties — Part 1: Non-instrumented impact test. This third edition specifies the Charpy pendulum (non‑instrumented) method for measuring impact strength of plastics using defined specimen types, notches and test conditions for comparative and material‑characterization purposes.

Abstract

This document specifies a method for determining Charpy impact strength of plastics under defined conditions. It defines specimen shapes and orientations (edgewise, flatwise, notched and unnotched), required apparatus and verification, specimen preparation and conditioning, test procedure, and calculation and reporting of impact energy and derived impact strength values. The method is intended for comparing materials and estimating relative brittleness or toughness within the limits of the Charpy test.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: June 2023.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 (Plastics in general).
• Edition / version: 3rd edition (2023).
• Number of pages: 22 pages (official ISO PDF pagination).

Scope

Specifies a non‑instrumented Charpy pendulum impact test applicable to rigid thermoplastic and thermosetting moulding and extrusion materials (filled, reinforced and unfilled), rigid sheets and laminates, fibre‑reinforced composites (short and long‑fibre/laminar constructions with restrictions noted), and thermotropic liquid‑crystal polymers. It covers specimen preparation (moulding, machining, notching), conditioning (reference conditions and temperature control), dimensions and orientations, test apparatus and verification procedures, and calculation/reporting of absorbed energy and impact strength. Notched specimens are restricted or not normally suitable for some material classes (e.g., rigid cellular materials, certain long‑fibre composites); in such cases unnotched specimens are used.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined specimen types and notch geometries (Type A, B, C notches) and corresponding dimensions and tolerances.
• Test principle: single pendulum strike on a simply supported specimen with measurement of absorbed energy (Charpy impact energy).
• Requirements for test apparatus and verification (reference to ISO 13802 for machine verification).
• Specimen preparation, anisotropy considerations and orientation (edgewise/flatwise, normal/parallel to reinforcement).
• Conditioning and temperature control (reference to general conditioning standards such as ISO 291).
• Calculation and expression of results: energy absorbed, impact strength (kJ/m²) and basic statistical reporting.

Typical use and users

Used by materials laboratories, plastics and composite manufacturers, quality control departments, research and development teams, and testing service providers to compare impact performance, screen formulations or verify production lots. It is also used by standards writers and certification bodies when impact‑resistance data are required for specification or regulatory assessment.

Related standards

ISO 179 forms a two‑part series: Part 1 (non‑instrumented test — this document) and Part 2 (instrumented impact test) which records force‑deflection or force‑time diagrams for more detailed analysis. Machine verification and calibration are covered by ISO 13802; conditioning and environment references such as ISO 291 are cited for specimen conditioning.

Keywords

Charpy, impact, pendulum, plastics, composites, impact strength, notched specimen, unnotched specimen, specimen conditioning, ISO 179-1.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 179-1:2023 is the international standard that defines the non‑instrumented Charpy pendulum test method for determining the Charpy impact properties (impact energy and derived impact strength) of plastics.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen types and dimensions, notch geometries, apparatus requirements and verification, specimen preparation and conditioning, test procedure, and calculation and reporting of results for comparative and material‑characterization testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials test laboratories, polymer and composite manufacturers, QC/QA teams, R&D engineers, certification and standards organizations, and independent testing houses.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 179-1:2023 is the current (third) edition published in June 2023. The ISO record indicates the standard is under periodic review and references ongoing work for future revisions, but the 2023 edition is the active edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 179 is a series. Part 1 is the non‑instrumented Charpy impact test (this standard) and Part 2 covers the instrumented Charpy impact test (force/deflection data). Related standards for machine verification and specimen conditioning (for example ISO 13802 and ISO 291) are commonly referenced.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Charpy, pendulum, impact test, plastics, impact strength, notched, unnotched, specimen conditioning, ISO 179.