The Izod impact test is performed by holding a notched test specimen in a cantilevered beam pattern and it is fractured at a test temperature by a swinging pendulum of a known potential energy.

The test specimen absorbs portion of the energy to fracture and this absorbed energy is indicated by the machine.

This test method is also used to determine notch sensitivity in the products. AS 1544 and ASTM E23, are some of the common test standards.