Drop hammer test

A drop hammer test can be used to investigate the behavior of components in the face of impact loads. In the drop hammer test, the component is placed in the test fixture and subjected to a defined weight falling from a specified height. After the component has been removed from the test fixture, it is checked whether the component has broken or has withstood the load. Depending on the task, materials, weights or drop heights can be varied and thus statements made about the component’s resistance to impact loads.

This test differs in the type of load and the results from the familiar impact bending test, in which material characteristics are determined on test specimens.