This document specifies a test method for the determination of puncture impact properties of rigid plastics, in the form of flat specimens, using instruments for measuring force and deflection. It is applicable if a force-deflection or force-time diagram, recorded at nominal constant striker velocity, is necessary for detailed characterization of the impact behaviour.

The test method is applicable to specimens with a thickness between 1 mm to 4 mm.

The method is suitable for use with the following types of material:

—    rigid thermoplastic moulding and extrusion materials, including filled, unfilled and reinforced compounds and sheets;

—    rigid thermosetting moulding and extrusion materials, including filled and reinforced compounds, sheets and laminates;

—    fibre-reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic composites incorporating unidirectional or multi-directional reinforcements such as mats, woven fabrics, woven rovings, chopped strands, combination and hybrid reinforcements, rovings, milled fibres and sheets made from pre-impregnated materials (prepregs).

The method is also applicable to specimens which are either moulded or machined from finished products, laminates and extruded or cast sheet.

The test results are comparable only if the conditions of preparation of the specimens, their dimensions and surfaces as well as the test conditions are the same. In particular, results determined on specimens of different thickness cannot be compared with one another (see Annex E). Comprehensive evaluation of the reaction to impact stress can be obtained by determinations made as a function of impact velocity and temperature for different material variables, such as crystallinity and moisture content.

The impact behaviour of finished products cannot be predicted directly from this test, but specimens may be taken from finished products (see above) for tests by this method.

Test data developed by this method is not intended to be used for design calculations. However, information on the typical behaviour of the material can be obtained by testing at different temperatures and impact velocities (see Annex D) by varying the thickness (see Annex E) and by testing specimens prepared under different conditions.

It is not the purpose of this document to give an interpretation of the mechanism occurring on every particular point of the force-deflection diagram. These interpretations are a task for scientific research.