This Standard specifies a method for the determination of the Izod impact strength of rigid plastics using a pendulum type testing machine. Different test parameters are specified according to the type of material, type of test specimen and the type of notch (see Clause 7.1).The method is used for investigating the behaviour of specified specimens under specified impact conditions, and for estimating the brittleness or the toughness of specimens within the limitations inherent in the test conditions.This Standard is applicable, inter alia, to the following materials:(a) Rigid thermoplastic moulding and extrusion materials, including filled and reinforced compounds, and rigid thermoplastic sheet.(b) Rigid thermosetting moulding materials, including filled and reinforced compounds.(c) Rigid thermosetting sheet, including laminates. (d) Fibre reinforced materials (composites), incorporating mat, woven fabric, woven rovings, chopped strands, chopped rovings, rovings and milled fibres, including pre-impregnated materials (prepregs).(e) Unidirectional fibre reinforced materials (composites), including pre-impregnated materials (prepregs).NOTE: The use of notched specimens is unsuitable for long fibre reinforced plastics. The method may not be suitable for foamed materials.The method is applicable to specimens prepared from moulding materials or to specimens taken from finished and semi-finished products i.e. mouldings, laminates, extruded or cast sheets.The method is suitable for production control, as well as for the acceptance and rejection of materials according to specifications for moulding materials and products.The results obtained by testing specimens prepared under different conditions are generally not comparable.NOTE: The method is not suitable as a source of data for design calculations on components. Information on the typical behaviour of a material can be obtained, however, by testing at different temperatures, by varying the notch radius, and by testing specimens prepared under diff erent conditions.