DIN EN ISO 14556 describes an instrumented Charpy V-notch (CVN) pendulum impact test method for metallic materials. It builds on the traditional Charpy impact test by adding instrumentation so you can capture a force signal during impact and analyze the event beyond a single absorbed-energy value.
If you are aligning a lab method to a customer drawing or a purchasing specification, edition matching and instrument configuration matter—especially for data acquisition, sensor setup, and how results are reported. If you want help mapping your requirement to an instrumented pendulum impact setup, talk with our team.
DIN EN ISO 14556 (Metallic materials — Instrumented Charpy V-notch impact test)
DIN EN ISO 14556 is used when a standard Charpy V-notch impact result is not enough and you also need instrumented data from the striker during the impact event. This is common in engineering qualification, failure analysis support, and R&D work where curve features (not just total energy) are important for interpretation.
The standard focuses on instrumented measurement and recording requirements in addition to the base Charpy pendulum impact setup.
Quick Definition
Document type: Test method (instrumented pendulum impact testing).
In one line: An instrumented Charpy V-notch pendulum impact method for metallic materials that combines the conventional Charpy impact test with a measured force signal during the strike.
What This Standard Covers
DIN EN ISO 14556 applies to instrumented Charpy V-notch pendulum impact testing of metallic materials. In addition to the usual Charpy impact test arrangement (pendulum striker, supports/anvils, and a notched test piece), the method includes requirements for instrumentation and signal recording so the impact event can be evaluated using measured data from the strike.
Because it is an instrumented method, it is sensitive to the measurement chain (sensor integration, amplifier settings, sampling/recording behavior, and software processing). Those details can influence whether results are comparable across labs and whether the data is acceptable for a contract or qualification program.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Instrumented Charpy testing is often selected when teams need more insight than a single dial/encoder energy reading. The recorded impact signal can support deeper interpretation of material behavior during fracture and can improve traceability of how the result was produced (instrument configuration, recorded data, and reporting outputs).
From a practical lab standpoint, DIN EN ISO 14556 helps define expectations for instrumentation performance and recording practices so results are more consistent and defensible.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
This standard is used for metallic materials evaluated using Charpy V-notch impact testing, including steels and other structural alloys where impact toughness behavior is part of design, qualification, or quality control.
Common application drivers: Material qualification to a purchase specification, comparison of heats/lots, weld procedure or weld qualification support (when Charpy impact is required elsewhere), and R&D studies where instrumented data improves insight.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
A typical workflow for DIN EN ISO 14556 follows the usual Charpy V-notch approach, with added steps to configure and validate the instrumented measurement chain before running production specimens.
Common workflow steps:
- Confirm the cited edition and any customer-specific reporting expectations.
- Prepare V-notch specimens using the required geometry and surface condition referenced by the Charpy method used for the base test setup.
- Condition specimens to the required test temperature when temperature-dependent behavior is being evaluated.
- Set up the instrumented striker and data acquisition/recording system (including software settings that control capture and output).
- Run impacts and record instrumented data alongside absorbed energy.
- Report results in the format required by the governing program (often including both energy and instrumented outputs).
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
DIN EN ISO 14556 points to an instrumented Charpy pendulum impact system rather than a basic (non-instrumented) Charpy tester. In practice, buyers should plan for both the mechanical impact frame and the instrumented measurement/recording components.
Common equipment elements:
- Instrumented pendulum impact tester (Charpy): Pendulum impact machine with appropriate striker and anvil/support configuration for Charpy V-notch testing.
- Instrumented striker / force transducer: A striker fitted with instrumentation to measure the impact force signal.
- High-speed data acquisition and software: Hardware and software to capture, store, and output the instrumented signal and calculated results.
- Specimen temperature conditioning: Cooling/heating equipment appropriate to the required test temperatures (commonly a temperature bath or chamber used with impact testing workflows).
- Verification and calibration tooling: The needed tools, procedures, and documentation to keep the impact machine and instrumented chain within required performance.
If you are comparing striker options, data acquisition packages, or temperature-conditioning accessories for an instrumented Charpy system, you can request a detailed quote for a configuration that fits your target specimen size, energy range, and reporting needs.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
DIN EN ISO 14556 indicates a German (DIN) adoption of a European (EN) adoption of an ISO standard (ISO 14556). In procurement documents, it may be cited with an edition date (often shown as a year, and sometimes as year-month).
Practical caution: Contract requirements can specify a particular edition (and the underlying ISO/EN edition it aligns to). Because instrumented testing outputs and acceptance expectations can be edition-sensitive, always match the exact cited designation on the purchase specification or drawing before finalizing equipment settings or reporting templates.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
DIN EN ISO 14556 is commonly used alongside the base Charpy pendulum impact method standard and the applicable machine verification standard for Charpy impact testing machines. In some programs, a separate instrumented impact standard may also be referenced depending on region and customer preference.
Common related references: The non-instrumented Charpy pendulum impact test method standard (for baseline specimen and test method conventions) and the Charpy impact machine verification standard (for machine performance and verification practices).
Get help selecting an instrumented Charpy impact setup
If you need an instrumented Charpy solution aligned to DIN EN ISO 14556—such as energy capacity, striker configuration, instrumented data outputs, and temperature-conditioning accessories—ask for a quote and we’ll scope a configuration around your application and reporting requirements.