Technical brochures often refer to IK rating.
But what does this rating stand for?
Initially related to the IP sealing test, the Ik rating became a specific rating to measure the impact resistance of product in 1995.
It is now related to the EN 62-262 European standard.
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PRINCIPLES
This rating can be decisive in a product selection. It doesn't rate the mechanical life but the capacity of a product to face environmental aggressions.
Therefore it is a key feature for any product intended for consumer goods.
The IK impact resistance is rated through a specific test carried out with a "Charpy pendulum" impact tester (see picture).
This device measures the resistance of a product submitted to 3 repeated identical impacts.
The impact energy (in joules) depends on 2 elements:
- The distance between the hammer and the tested sample
- The hammer weight
According to the resistance level rated during the test, an IK code is assigned to the product. This code ranging from IK0 to IK10, determines the energy level the product can absorb.
- TABLE OF CORRESPONDANCE
| IK00 | Not protected |
| IK01 | Protected against 0.14 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 56mm above impacted surface. |
| IK02 | Protected against 0.2 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 80mm above impacted surface. |
| IK03 | Protected against 0.35 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 140mm above impacted surface. |
| IK04 | Protected against 0.5 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 200mm above impacted surface. |
| IK05 | Protected against 0.7 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 280mm above impacted surface. |
| IK06 | Protected against 1 joule impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 400mm above impacted surface. |
| IK07 | Protected against 2 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.5kg mass dropped from 400mm above impacted surface. |
| IK08 | Protected against 5 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 1.7kg mass dropped from 300mm above impacted surface. |
| IK09 | Protected against 10 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 5kg mass dropped from 200mm above impacted surface. |
| IK10 | Protected against 20 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 5kg mass dropped from 400mm above impacted surface. |
APEM's integrated test laboratory carries out IK impact resistance tests in accordance with the specifications of the EN-62-262 standard.
