If it is important to determine how ductile or brittle an alloy may be in a finished part, metallurgists often utilize investment casting Charpy impact testing. Charpy impact testing utilizes a pendulum with a precise weight on the end. A notched, standard-size sample of the alloy to be tested is mounted and struck by the weight. The distance the pendulum is drawn back determines the amount of energy that impacts the sample. If more energy is needed to break the sample, it is more ductile. More brittle alloys require less energy to cause a fracture. This very useful test helps ensure high-quality parts that meet manufacturers’ specifications.
