Drop Ball Impact Tester for Plastic Sheets & Rigid Plates

STQ-A

Drop Ball Impact Tester for Plastic Sheets & Rigid Plates

Functions
 

Evaluate the impact resistance​ of plastic sheets, rigid plates, and flat specimens.
Determine the energy absorption capability​ and fracture behavior​ of materials under sudden impact.
Widely used for ABS, PC, PMMA, PVC‑U, PETG, and composite panels​ in quality control and R&D.

Working Principle

The instrument adopts the free‑fall drop weight method. A steel ball is held by an electromagnetic sucker​ at a preset height. Once the specimen is secured on the pneumatic clamping platform, the electromagnet is de‑energized, releasing the ball to fall vertically and freely​ onto the specimen. The operator observes whether the specimen cracks, punctures, or fractures, and calculates the impact energy (N·m)​ based on the ball mass and drop height. A built‑in observation lamp illuminates the impact zone for accurate damage assessment.

Compliant Standards

GB/T 14485‑93
YBB 00212005‑2015​ 
ASTM D3029‑21​ — Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat Rigid Plastic Specimens by Means of a Falling Dart (or Falling Weight)
YBB 00212005‑2015​ — Pharmaceutical Aluminum‑Plastic Combination Caps (references impact resistance)
YBB 00222005‑2015​ — Pharmaceutical Plastic Containers (references impact resistance)
GN/T 15267‑2023​ — Security glass — Impact resistance test methods

Key Features

Electromagnetic Release:​ The electromagnetic sucker ensures zero initial velocity​ and no lateral force​ during ball release, guaranteeing a true free‑fall condition for accurate, repeatable results.
Pneumatic Specimen Clamping:​ The pneumatic clamp secures the specimen firmly and evenly, preventing movement or vibration upon impact. This eliminates operator variability and ensures consistent test conditions.
Adjustable Drop Height:​ Test height is manually adjustable from 25 mm to 900 mm, accommodating various energy levels and standard requirements.
Multiple Steel Ball Options:​ Five standard steel balls (50 g to 550 g) cover a wide range of impact energies. Non‑standard balls can be custom‑ordered.
Built‑in Observation Lamp:​ An integrated LED light illuminates the impact point, enabling clear and accurate judgment of micro‑cracks, fractures, or perforations.
Safety Protection:​ A steel ball guard prevents rebound injuries, ensuring operator safety during testing.
Automatic Center Positioning:​ The electromagnetic sucker aligns the ball directly above the specimen center, eliminating manual aiming errors.

Technical Specifications

Test Height Range:​ 25 – 900 mm (manual adjustment)
Maximum Specimen Size:​ 150 × 150 mm
Clamping Mode:​ Pneumatic clamping
Release Mechanism:​ Electromagnetic sucker
Standard Steel Balls:
Φ23 mm / 50 g
Φ25 mm / 60 g
Φ28.6 mm / 100 g
Φ38.1 mm / 230 g
Φ50.8 mm / 550 g (optional)
Gas Pressure Requirement:​ 0 – 0.7 MPa (user‑supplied)
Gas Connector:​ Φ8 mm polyurethane tube
Overall Dimensions:​ 300 × 400 × 1400 mm (L×B×H)
Net Weight:​ 60 kg
Power Supply:​ AC 220/110V, 50/60 Hz
Standard Configuration
Main testing machine (host unit)
Electromagnetic sucker assembly
Pneumatic specimen clamping device
Standard steel balls: Φ23 mm (50 g), Φ25 mm (60 g), Φ28.6 mm (100 g), Φ38.1 mm (230 g)
Built‑in observation lamp
Operating manual and calibration certificate

Application Industries & Scenarios

Building & Construction Materials
Polycarbonate (PC) Sheets:​ Test impact resistance of solid and multiwall PC panels used in skylights, roofing, and sound barriers.
Acrylic (PMMA) Panels:​ Evaluate crack propagation and fracture toughness of signage and display materials.
PVC‑U Sheets:​ Assess impact behavior for window profiles and wall cladding.
Advertising & Display
Engraving Boards:​ Verify impact durability of ABS and PVC foam boards used in signage.
Exhibition Stands:​ Test lightweight panels for transportation and handling resilience.
Point‑of‑Purchase Displays:​ Ensure structural integrity under accidental impacts.
Automotive & Transportation
Interior Trim Panels:​ Evaluate impact resistance of ABS and PP composite panels.
Headlamp Lenses:​ Test polycarbonate lens materials for stone‑impact resistance.
Dashboard Components:​ Assess fracture behavior under sudden loading.
Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging
PVC/PVDC Rigid Sheets:​ Test impact resistance of blister forming films per YBB standards.
Pharmaceutical Caps:​ Validate cap body strength against accidental drops.
Medical Device Housings:​ Ensure enclosures withstand transit shocks.
Electronics & Appliances
Front Panels:​ Test impact resistance of ABS and PC housings for consumer electronics.
Refrigerator Liners:​ Evaluate HIPS inner liners for crack resistance during assembly.
Washing Machine Tops:​ Assess PP composite covers for drop impact.
Research & Third‑Party Testing
CNAS/CMA‑Compliant Testing:​ Issue impact test reports referencing ASTM D3029.
New Material Development:​ Compare impact modifiers and formulations.
Failure Analysis:​ Investigate field failures due to brittle fracture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
 

Q1: Why use electromagnetic release instead of manual release?
A: Manual release inevitably imparts a sideways push or initial velocity to the ball, violating the free‑fall principle and causing inconsistent results. Electromagnetic release holds the ball stationary and drops it instantly with zero lateral force, ensuring a true vertical free fall every time.
Q2: Is GB/T 14485 still valid? Which standard should I use?
A: GB/T 14485‑93 is obsolete​ and has no direct replacement. For plastic sheet impact testing, we recommend ASTM D3029‑21, which is internationally recognized and accepted by most customers and certification bodies. For pharmaceutical packaging, YBB 00212005‑2015​ remains valid.
Q3: How do I select the correct steel ball weight?
A: The choice depends on the material's expected impact resistance. Start with a lighter ball (e.g., 50 g or 100 g) for brittle materials like acrylic. For tougher materials like polycarbonate, use heavier balls (230 g or 550 g). Always refer to the relevant test standard or customer specification.
Q4: Can I test bottles or containers with this instrument?
A: This instrument is designed for flat, rigid specimens​ (plastic sheets, plates). For bottles or containers, a different test method (such as a drop tester with angled impact) is required. However, the same steel balls can sometimes be used with appropriate fixtures.
Q5: What is the purpose of the built‑in observation lamp?
A: The lamp provides bright, shadow‑free illumination directly at the impact point. This makes it much easier to detect fine radial cracks, micro‑fractures, or star‑shaped cracking that might be missed under normal room lighting.
Q6: How is impact energy calculated?
A: Impact energy (in N·m or J) = mass of the steel ball (kg) × gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²) × drop height (m). The instrument does not calculate automatically; the operator records the height and ball mass and computes the value manually.
Q7: What gas supply is needed?
A: The pneumatic clamp requires a clean, dry compressed air source delivering 0.4–0.7 MPa. A standard Φ8 mm polyurethane tube connects the air supply to the machine.