ISO 13802:2015

Overview - ISO 13802:2015 (Plastics - Verification of pendulum impact‑testing machines)

ISO 13802:2015 specifies methods, frequency and acceptance criteria for the verification of pendulum impact‑testing machines used to perform Charpy, Izod and tensile‑impact tests on plastics. The standard applies to pendulum‑type machines whose geometrical and physical properties are defined in Clause 5 and the normative Annexes. It covers verification of non‑instrumented and geometrically equivalent instrumented machines (note: force/work verification of instrumented systems is excluded).

Keywords: ISO 13802:2015, pendulum impact‑testing machines, Charpy, Izod, tensile impact, plastics impact testing, verification, calibration.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: Verification procedures for Charpy (ISO 179‑1), Izod (ISO 180) and tensile‑impact (ISO 8256) testing machines.
• Machine description & components: Definitions and checks for frame, base, pendulum, striker, anvils, supports, clamps and indicating equipment.
• Measurement and calibration: Use of calibrated standards to confirm acceptable instrument calibration and measurement accuracy.
• Geometrical/physical verifications:
  • Pendulum length, gravity/gyration lengths and centre of percussion
  • Impact length and line of contact between striker and specimen
  • Frame mass relative to pendulum mass (Annex D) to avoid energy errors
  • Axial/radial play of bearings, alignment and mounting conditions
• Energy and dynamics:
  • Potential energy, impact velocity and impact energy (absorbed energy)
  • Losses due to friction and air resistance and their permissible limits
  • Deceleration of the pendulum during impact (Annex E)
• Indicating systems: Verification of analogue and digital energy indicating systems, error limits, and scale types.
• Testing frequency and reporting: Recommended intervals for verification and required contents of a verification report.
• Design guidance: Normative annexes with design requirements for Charpy, Izod and tensile machines (Annex A–C) and a gauge plate design for striker/anvil alignment (Annex F).

Practical applications and who uses this standard

ISO 13802 is used by:

• Materials testing laboratories and quality control teams performing impact testing of plastics.
• Manufacturers of pendulum impact‑testing machines for design verification and factory calibration.
• Calibration and conformity assessment bodies auditing machine performance.
• R&D groups assessing material toughness and comparing results across labs.

Benefits include reliable, repeatable impact test results, traceable verification procedures, reduced inter‑laboratory variability and compliance with related ISO test methods.

Related standards

• ISO 179‑1 (Charpy, non‑instrumented)
• ISO 179‑2 (Charpy, instrumented)
• ISO 180 (Izod)
• ISO 8256 (Tensile‑impact)

Use ISO 13802:2015 to ensure your pendulum impact‑testing machines meet recognized verification practices for accurate, traceable plastics impact testing.