DIN EN ISO 148-1 is the standardized Charpy pendulum impact test method used to measure the energy absorbed when a notched metallic specimen is fractured by a single, high-rate impact.
This standard is widely referenced for steel, alloy, and welded-product qualification where impact toughness and brittle-fracture risk at service temperature matter. If you need help matching your material, notch type, and test temperature requirements to the right setup, you can talk with our team.
DIN EN ISO 148-1: Metallic materials — Charpy pendulum impact test — Part 1: Test method
DIN EN ISO 148-1 defines the test method for conducting Charpy pendulum impact testing on metallic materials using standardized notched specimens (V-notch and U-notch) and reporting absorbed impact energy.
It is commonly used to support product and process verification (for example, material heat qualification, weld procedure qualification support testing, and incoming or production QC) where impact toughness targets are specified by a product standard, code, or customer requirement.
Quick Definition
Charpy impact testing per DIN EN ISO 148-1 measures the energy absorbed by a notched metal specimen during fracture from a pendulum strike, providing a practical indicator of notch toughness under rapid loading.
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Document type | Test method (pendulum impact, Charpy V-notch and U-notch) |
| DIN edition (typical citation) | DIN EN ISO 148-1:2017-05 (German adoption of EN ISO 148-1:2016 / ISO 148-1:2016) |
| Replaced DIN edition | DIN EN ISO 148-1:2011-01 |
| What it measures | Absorbed energy during fracture under impact loading |
| Instrumented impact | Not covered (instrumented impact testing is addressed in ISO 14556) |
| ICS classification | 77.040.10 (Mechanical testing of metals) |
What This Standard Covers
DIN EN ISO 148-1 focuses on how to perform the Charpy pendulum impact test on metallic materials, including standardized specimen notch types (V and U), test execution, and result reporting as absorbed energy.
While the test is conceptually simple, this standard matters because the method details (machine configuration, striker/anvil geometry, temperature conditioning, and reporting rules) can materially affect the energy result and comparability between labs.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Charpy results are frequently used as acceptance or comparison data in manufacturing and fabrication where service temperature and fracture behavior are critical (for example, structural steels, pressure applications, or low-temperature service). Buyers often specify Charpy absorbed energy at a defined temperature, so repeatability, correct machine verification, and temperature handling become central to compliance.
This standard is also commonly used when building transition-temperature curves (energy vs. temperature) or when comparing the impact performance of different heats, processing routes, or weld procedures, as allowed by the governing product or project requirements.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
DIN EN ISO 148-1 applies broadly to metallic materials where Charpy impact toughness is specified or used for comparison. Typical examples include ferrous alloys (such as steels), cast products, and welded assemblies when a purchaser or code requires Charpy energy results at one or more temperatures.
Important boundary: If your requirement calls for instrumented impact force-time data (beyond absorbed energy), this method alone is not sufficient, and an instrumented impact standard is typically required.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
DIN EN ISO 148-1 is typically executed as part of a controlled lab workflow where specimen preparation, temperature conditioning, machine readiness, and reporting all need to align with the cited edition.
Common workflows: Specimen notching and identification, optional heating/cooling to a specified test temperature, controlled transfer to the anvil supports, pendulum strike and energy measurement, and results reporting (including any observations the standard calls out, such as incomplete fracture handling).
Quality checkpoints: Machine verification is commonly managed under the corresponding verification standard in the ISO 148 series, and specimen preparation/characterization practices may be controlled separately depending on whether the work is routine testing or verification activities.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
DIN EN ISO 148-1 is strongly equipment-driven. The goal is to produce absorbed-energy results that are comparable across time and (as much as practical) across laboratories.
Common equipment: Charpy pendulum impact tester (with suitable energy capacity for the expected absorbed energy range), Charpy striker(s) suitable for the specified notch type, properly configured anvils/supports, specimen temperature conditioning equipment (cooling/heating), and handling tools that support controlled specimen transfer.
Common supporting tools: Notch broaching/notching equipment and dimensional measurement tools for confirming specimen/notch conformance, plus data handling/report templates aligned to the required reporting content.
If you are selecting a pendulum impact system or upgrading fixtures and temperature conditioning tools for DIN EN ISO 148-1, you can request a detailed quote based on your notch type, energy range, and temperature workflow.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
DIN EN ISO 148-1 indicates a German (DIN) adoption of the European (EN) adoption of the ISO standard for Charpy pendulum impact testing.
Part 1 identifies this document as the test method portion of the ISO 148 series. In procurement documents, the cited year/month matters because method and reporting updates can occur between editions (for example, DIN EN ISO 148-1:2017-05 replaced DIN EN ISO 148-1:2011-01).
Revision sensitivity: When quoting equipment or confirming lab capability, match the exact edition stated on the customer drawing, purchase specification, or code requirement.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
DIN EN ISO 148-1 is part of a broader Charpy impact ecosystem where companion standards may be referenced by contracts, accreditation programs, or internal lab procedures.
- ISO 148-2: Verification of testing machines (commonly used to control impact machine performance over time).
- ISO 148-3: Preparation and characterization of Charpy V-notch test pieces for indirect verification of pendulum impact machines.
- ISO 14556: Instrumented Charpy/V impact testing (used when force-time or derived parameters are required beyond absorbed energy).
Talk with a testing equipment specialist
Need help configuring a Charpy impact workflow for a specific DIN EN ISO 148-1 citation (notch type, energy capacity, temperature range, or verification approach)? Contact our team to discuss a setup that fits your lab’s compliance and throughput goals.