What does the Charpy test determine?

The Charpy test is designed specifically to assess the toughness of materials, which is their ability to absorb energy and plastically deform without fracturing. During the Charpy test, a notched sample is subjected to a swinging pendulum that strikes the specimen. The amount of energy absorbed by the material during fracture is measured, providing a quantifiable value of toughness.

The results can indicate how well a material can withstand sudden impacts or considerable force without breaking, which is particularly important in applications where materials might undergo dynamic loads. By correlating the energy absorbed with temperature, it's also possible to evaluate how toughness changes with varying operational conditions.

This makes the Charpy test crucial for understanding material performance in various industrial applications and ensuring safety and reliability in construction and manufacturing processes.