Galdabini Impact25 Pendulum Impact Tester

Overview

The Galdabini Impact25 Pendulum Impact Tester is a precision-engineered mechanical testing instrument designed for standardized determination of impact resistance in rigid and semi-rigid polymeric, ceramic, and composite materials. Based on the classical pendulum principle—where gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy upon release—the system measures the energy absorbed by a notched or unnotched specimen during fracture under controlled impact loading. The Impact25 delivers calibrated impact energies up to 25 joules, making it suitable for Charpy (simply supported beam), Izod (vertical cantilever), and tensile impact configurations. Its robust cast-iron frame, hardened steel anvil and striker, and precisely balanced pendulum arm ensure high reproducibility across repeated tests. All mechanical components are manufactured and assembled in Italy under strict adherence to ISO 9001-certified production protocols, guaranteeing dimensional stability, long-term calibration retention, and traceable metrological performance.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-controlled digital display with real-time energy readout in joules (J), with resolution down to 0.01 J and repeatability ≤ ±0.5% of full scale
• Integrated automatic friction compensation algorithm that dynamically corrects for bearing and air resistance losses—eliminating manual correction tables required by legacy analog systems
• Modular fixture system enabling rapid reconfiguration between Charpy (ISO 179/ASTM D6110), Izod (ISO 180/ASTM D256), and tensile impact (ISO 8256/EN ISO 8256) test modes without recalibration
• RS-232 serial interface compliant with EIA/TIA-232-F specifications, supporting direct connection to Windows-based PCs or thermal printers for raw data logging and report generation
• Hardened steel pendulum blade (Rockwell C60–62), interchangeable striker tips (including standard 2-mm radius for ISO 179 and 8-mm radius for ASTM D256), and adjustable specimen supports with micrometer-level positioning accuracy
• Comprehensive safety interlock system including door-activated cut-off, pendulum arrest mechanism, and optical position sensing to prevent operator exposure during swing cycle

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Impact25 accommodates specimens conforming to internationally recognized geometry requirements: rectangular bars (e.g., 80 × 10 × 4 mm per ISO 179), notched or unnotched; Izod specimens (63.5 × 12.7 × 3.2 mm); and tensile impact specimens (dumbbell-shaped per ISO 8256). It supports both injection-molded and machined test pieces from thermoplastics (e.g., ABS, PC, PP), thermosets (e.g., epoxy, phenolic), engineering ceramics (e.g., alumina, zirconia), and fiber-reinforced composites. All test procedures and reporting outputs align with regulatory expectations for quality control laboratories operating under GLP or ISO/IEC 17025 frameworks. The system’s documented traceability chain—from factory calibration certificates (NIST-traceable reference standards) to user-performed verification checks—meets audit requirements for pharmaceutical packaging validation (USP ), automotive component certification (SAE J2116), and aerospace material qualification (AMS 2750).

Software & Data Management

GraphWork software—supplied with each Impact25 unit—provides a validated platform for post-test analysis, statistical evaluation, and compliance reporting. It supports automated import of ASCII-formatted data streams via RS-232, batch processing of multiple test series, calculation of mean impact strength (kJ/m²), coefficient of variation (CV%), and outlier detection using Grubbs’ test. Reports are exportable in PDF and CSV formats, with optional digital signature fields and embedded audit trails compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed on validated IT infrastructure. The software also enables comparative analysis across material lots, process conditions, or environmental aging treatments—supporting root cause investigations and design-of-experiments (DoE) workflows.

Applications

• Quality assurance of polymer resins and compounded grades in extrusion and injection molding facilities
• Evaluation of embrittlement effects induced by UV exposure, thermal cycling, or chemical immersion per ISO 4582 and ASTM G155
• Validation of ceramic component toughness for medical device housings and electronic substrates
• Development and specification of impact-modified polymer blends used in automotive interior trim and structural housings
• Regulatory submission support for ISO 10993 biocompatibility assessments where mechanical integrity under mechanical stress is required
• Teaching laboratory use in materials science curricula for demonstrating fracture mechanics fundamentals (e.g., ductile-to-brittle transition behavior)

FAQ

What is the recommended calibration frequency for the Impact25?
Annual calibration by an accredited third-party laboratory is advised; however, daily verification using certified reference specimens (e.g., aluminum alloy check standards traceable to NIST SRM 2822) is required prior to critical testing.
Can the Impact25 be upgraded to support higher energy ranges?
No—the mechanical architecture and pendulum mass distribution are optimized exclusively for the 25 J range; higher-energy models (e.g., Impact50) require separate hardware platforms.
Is GraphWork software compatible with Windows 11 and 64-bit systems?
Yes—GraphWork v4.2 and later versions support Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), including TLS 1.2 encryption and .NET Framework 4.8 runtime dependencies.
Does the system include test fixtures for all three configurations out of the box?
Yes—the standard delivery includes Charpy anvil and support blocks, Izod clamping jaws with base plate, and tensile impact grips with alignment guides—all pre-calibrated and serialized.
How is traceability maintained during software updates?
Each GraphWork update package carries a unique SHA-256 hash and version-controlled release notes; installation logs record timestamps, user credentials, and configuration changes to satisfy ALCOA+ data integrity principles.