DIN-Taschenbuch 317/4

Werkstoffprüfung 4 (Materials testing 4 – Impact test)

Please note: This publication is only available in German.

DIN Taschenbuch 317/4 “Werkstoffprüfung 4” is dedicated to the Charpy pendulum impact test and summarizes the most important standards for impact testing of metallic and polymer materials. The collection of standards provides a compact and practical basis for mechanical-technological materials testing in industry and research.

The focus is on determining notched impact strength, a key material parameter, particularly for safety-relevant applications in mechanical engineering, plant construction and vehicle construction. It describes the behaviour of materials under impact load and provides important information for the design of technical components.

Notched impact strength and its significance in materials testing

Notched impact strength is a decisive parameter for evaluating the fracture and deformation properties of materials under dynamic load. The Charpy pendulum impact test enables a standardized and comparable assessment of different materials.

In practice, it provides important data for:

• the evaluation of material safety
• the selection of suitable materials for structures
• the protection of components in safety-critical applications

This makes impact testing one of the indispensable methods of modern materials technology.

Overview of DIN Taschenbuch 317/4

“Werkstoffprüfung 4” comprises eleven documents across roughly 350 pages and focuses entirely on impact testing. The contents have been selected to cover all essential areas of testing in practice.

There are three central topics in this collection: Testing machines, metallic materials and plastics. This provides a complete overview of procedures, requirements and assessment methods.

Focus on testing machines, metals and plastics

A significant part of the volume deals with the requirements for pendulum impact testing machines and their verification and calibration. These standards ensure that test results are reproducible and comparable.

In addition, the work contains comprehensive regulations for testing metallic materials and polymer materials. These include, among others:

• Charpy pendulum impact test (metals)
• Izod impact strength test (plastics)
• Impact tensile strength and other dynamic test methods
• Preparation and characterization of samples

This is supplemented by standards for the inspection of test equipment and for quality assurance in the performance of tests.

DIN EN ISO 148 – central standard of the Charpy method

At the centre of the collection is DIN EN ISO 148 (Parts 1 to 3), which comprehensively describes the Charpy pendulum impact test. It regulates both the test procedure itself and the requirements for machines, samples and evaluation.

Particularly relevant in practice are the requirements for:

• Carrying out standardized impact tests
• Preparing reference samples
• Testing and monitoring of the testing machines
• Interpretation of the test results

This standard is the global point of reference for impact testing.

Part of the DIN Taschenbuch series 317 - Werkstoffprüfung (Materials testing)

The work is part of the comprehensive DIN Taschenbuch series on materials testing, which systematically covers various test methods. The series currently comprises:

• Volume 1: Grundlagen der Werkstoffprüfung (Fundamentals of materials testing)
• Volume 2: Zug- und Biegeprüfung (Tensile and bending test)
• Volume 3: Härteprüfung (Hardness testing)
• Volume 4: Kerbschlagbiegeversuch (Schlagzähigkeit) (Impact test (impact strength))
• Volume 5: (Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung) Non-destructive testing

The series thus provides a complete basis for all central test methods in materials technology.

This book is for: 

• Test laboratories and materials testing centres
• Industrial companies with their own quality assurance
• Design engineers in mechanical and plant engineering
• Experts and test engineers

Summary: Compact collection of standards on impact testing

The DIN Taschenbuch 317/4 “Werkstoffprüfung 4” is a practice-orientated standard work for Charpy pendulum impact testing and the evaluation of the impact strength of materials. It combines all the important standards in one compact volume and thus supports safe, reproducible and standard-compliant materials testing.