Pellini Drop-Weight Testers

The drop-weight test as described by W. S. Pellini is used to investigate the tendency to brittle fracture of steels for comparative evaluation of crack arrest behavior to ASTM E208 and SEP 1325. 

• Pellini drop-weight testers are available in 550 and 1650 J versions. 
  The maximum fall height is 1 or 1.3 m.
• The drop weight is raised automatically and the drop height is infinitely adjustable.
• In accordance with the standard, the prescribed drop energies are obtained by the simple use of weights. Drop energy is calculated automatically.
• The test area is protected electrically and mechanically via a safety circuit. Testing is only performed after all safety contacts have been checked.
• Operation is via a touch screen, on which drop height, drop energy, drop weight and drop speed are shown.
• During the test, weights fall on to a rectangular flexure specimen supported at both ends, causing a brittle fracture on the tensile side of the specimen within a prescribed total deflection. This brittle fracture is caused by a notched welding bead laid on this side – the so-called crack starter.
• It is then determined whether the brittle fracture caused by the artificial crack-starter spreads as far as one of the two side faces of the specimen or is arrested beforehand. If the fracture reaches one of the two side faces, the specimen is regarded as fractured.