Yasuda No.258-D Digital Pendulum Impact Tester

Overview

The Yasuda No.258-D Digital Pendulum Impact Tester is a precision-engineered mechanical testing instrument designed for standardized determination of impact resistance in polymeric materials, thermoplastics, composites, and rigid plastics. Based on the classical pendulum principle—where gravitational potential energy of a calibrated swinging arm is converted into kinetic energy upon release—the system measures the energy absorbed by a notched or unnotched specimen during fracture. This energy absorption, expressed in joules (J) or kgf·cm, serves as a quantitative indicator of material toughness under sudden loading conditions. The No.258-D complies with internationally recognized test standards including ISO 179-1 (Charpy), ISO 180 (Izod), ASTM D6110 (Charpy), ASTM D256 (Izod), and ASTM D4812 (Tensile Impact), enabling traceable, repeatable data generation suitable for QC laboratories, R&D centers, and third-party certification facilities operating under GLP or ISO/IEC 17025 frameworks.

Key Features

• Dual-mode mechanical configuration: Rapid conversion between Charpy (simply supported beam) and Izod (cantilever beam) test setups via standardized pendulum interchange and specimen holder repositioning—no recalibration required.
• Digital angular encoder and high-resolution load cell integrated into the pendulum shaft provide real-time, drift-free measurement of swing angle and residual energy, eliminating parallax errors inherent in analog scale reading.
• Three selectable pendulum capacities (e.g., 1 J, 5 J, 15 J) accommodate a broad range of material stiffnesses—from brittle engineering resins to semi-crystalline polymers—while maintaining ±0.5% full-scale accuracy per ISO 13802 calibration requirements.
• Robust cast-iron base with vibration-damping feet ensures mechanical stability during impact event, minimizing energy loss through frame resonance and supporting reproducibility across repeated tests (CV < 1.2% per ASTM E23 repeatability guidelines).
• Integrated safety interlock system automatically deactivates release mechanism unless the pendulum guard door is fully closed and specimen is correctly seated—meeting CE machinery directive (2006/42/EC) and OSHA 1910.212 compliance thresholds.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The No.258-D accepts standard ISO and ASTM-compliant specimens: Charpy bars (80 × 10 × 4 mm), Izod bars (63.5 × 12.7 × 3.2 mm), and tensile impact specimens (60 × 15 × 3–4 mm). Notch geometry (A, B, or C type per ISO 179/180) is implemented using certified ground notch inserts. All fixtures are manufactured from hardened tool steel (HRC 58–62) to prevent deformation during repeated clamping cycles. The instrument’s mechanical design and calibration traceability align with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.4 (Equipment) and support audit readiness for FDA-regulated polymer packaging validation (e.g., USP for medical device components) and automotive OEM material approval protocols (e.g., GMW14124, Ford WSS-M99P1111-A).

Software & Data Management

While the No.258-D operates as a standalone digital readout system, its RS-232 interface enables seamless integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or custom QA databases. Optional PC software (Yasuda IMPACT-Link v3.x) provides automated test logging, statistical analysis (mean, SD, CV, min/max), pass/fail threshold enforcement per material specification, and export to CSV/PDF formats compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements—including electronic signatures, audit trail, and user access control. Calibration certificates include NIST-traceable verification data with uncertainty budgets reported per ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.5.

Applications

• Quality control of injection-molded plastic parts in automotive interiors (dashboards, seat components) and consumer electronics housings.
• Comparative evaluation of polymer blends, recycled content formulations, and flame-retardant additives under low-temperature impact (−30 °C to +40 °C ambient range).
• Material qualification for medical device enclosures subject to ISO 10993-1 biocompatibility and mechanical stress validation.
• Failure analysis of brittle fracture modes in fiber-reinforced thermosets used in aerospace secondary structures.
• Supporting ASTM D790 flexural property correlation studies where impact energy correlates with interlaminar shear strength.

FAQ

Does the No.258-D meet ISO 13802 calibration requirements for pendulum impact testers?

Yes—the pendulum moment of inertia, center of percussion, and energy scale are verified annually using certified reference specimens traceable to NMIJ (Japan) or PTB (Germany), fulfilling ISO 13802 Annex B.
Can tensile impact tests be performed without additional hardware?

Yes—the base unit includes a dedicated tensile impact fixture with pneumatic specimen clamping and linear guide rails; no external actuator or controller is required.
Is operator training included with purchase?

Yasuda provides factory-certified on-site installation and operation training covering test method selection, specimen preparation per ISO 293/294, energy correction for frictional losses, and interpretation of multi-notch sensitivity curves.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?

Lubrication of pivot bearings every 6 months, annual verification of pendulum alignment and knife-edge wear (measured via optical profilometry), and biannual calibration of digital encoder against master angle gauge.
Are replacement pendulums and notched inserts available through global distribution channels?

Yes—all consumables and wear parts (pendulum hammers, anvil blocks, notch inserts, specimen grips) are stocked by Yasuda’s authorized distributors in North America, EMEA, and APAC regions with lead times ≤5 business days.