BS EN 10045-1:1990

This European Standard, a part of the BS EN 10045 series, describes the Charpy impact test (U and V-notch) for metallic materials.

For certain particular metallic materials and applications, the Charpy impact test may be the subject of specific standards and particular requirements.

The test consists of breaking by one blow from a swinging pendulum, under defined conditions, a test piece notched in the middle and supported at each end. The energy absorbed is determined in joules. This absorbed energy is a measure of the impact strength of the material.