ISO 180

Introducing ISO 180 – Industrial Physics

ISO 180 is an ISO international standard that helps you to determine the Izod impact strength of plastics under defined conditions using an impact tester.  

This ISO test method is used to investigate the behavior of specified types of plastics under defined impact conditions. It’s an impact test that’s ideal for estimating the brittleness or toughness of specimens. 

What is Izod impact testing?

The Izod impact test is a single point test that measures a notched material’s resistance to impact from a swinging pendulum. The Izod impact can be defined as the kinetic energy needed to initiate a fracture and then continue to expand the fracture until the specimen breaks. The plastic samples you use in an Izod impact test are notched to stop them deforming upon impact.  

Izod impact testing is a quick and easy quality control check. Use it to determine if a material meets specific impact properties or to compare different types of materials for general toughness. 

The energy capacity and impact velocity of the Izod impact testing machine and the conditioning of the specimens can influence the results of the ISO 180 test. So, these factors must be carefully controlled if you need comparative data.  

Which plastics are compatible with ISO 180 impact testing?

Following ISO 180 you can inspect a number of different types of specimen under defined test configurations. These Izod impact test parameters are specified according to the type of material, the type of test specimen and the type of notch. 

This ISO test method is best for specimens that can be: molded to the chosen dimensions; machined from the central portion of a standard multipurpose test specimen; or machined from finished or semi-finished products such as moldings, laminates and extruded or cast sheet. 

The ISO 180 impact test is suitable for the following range of plastic materials: 

• Rigid thermoplastic molding and extrusion materials. This includes both filled and unfilled reinforced compounds and rigid thermoplastics sheets 
• Rigid thermosetting molding materials. Again, this covers both filled and reinforced compounds and rigid thermosetting sheets, including laminates 
• Fiber-reinforced thermosetting and thermoplastic composites. This covers unidirectional or non-unidirectional reinforcements such as mat, woven fabrics, woven rovings, chopped strands, combination and hybrid reinforcements. It also includes rovings and milled fibers and sheets made from pre-impregnated materials 
• Thermotropic liquid-crystal polymers 

ISO 180 isn’t normally suitable for rigid cellular materials and sandwich structures containing cellular material.  

ISO 180 testing equipment

So, how can Industrial Physics improve your ISO 180 Izod impact testing? 

Ray-Ran advanced pendulum impact system 

You’ll smash your Izod impact testing targets with the Ray-Ran advanced pendulum impact testing system. It’s an advanced pendulum impact tester that uses microprocessor technology to determine the energy required to break or rupture plastic or ceramic specimens, composites and nonferrous metals. If you have other impact tests to carry out you’ll find it’s also ideal for charpy or tension impact testing.  

Ray-Ran auto cycle test sample notching cutter 

The Ray-Ran auto cycle notching cutter will help you to make precise stress concentrated profiles in Izod and Charpy specimen bars.  

Whether you are working towards ISO 180, ISO 179 or ASTM D256, it’s what you need. Fire it up and it quickly cuts up to 16 test specimens (4mm thick). It’s a great time-saver – cutting accurate samples in under 20 seconds. ​ 

Need ISO testing solutions? Get in touch

We can help you with any aspect of your ISO 180 testing. Please get in touch with your requirements, we will be happy to support you. But before you do, why not check out this article we have written on the different types of impact testing equipment? 

Contact us – Industrial Physics 

Your global test and measurement partner for ISO 180