Notch (engineering)

In mechanical engineering and materials science, a notch refers to a V-shaped, U-shaped, or semi-circular defect deliberately introduced into a planar material. In structural components, a notch causes a stress concentration which can result in the initiation and growth of fatigue cracks. Notches are used in materials characterization to determine fracture mechanics related properties such as fracture toughness and rates of fatigue crack growth.

Notches are commonly used in material impact tests where a morphological crack of a controlled origin is necessary to achieve standardized characterization of fracture resistance of the material. The most common is the Charpy impact test, which uses a pendulum hammer (striker) to strike a horizontal notched specimen. The height of its subsequent swing-through is used to determine the energy absorbed during fracture. The Izod impact strength test uses a circular notched vertical specimen in a cantilever configuration. Charpy testing is conducting with U- or V-notches whereby the striker contacts the specimen directly behind the notch, whereas the now largely obsolete Izod method involves a semi-circular notch facing the striker. Notched specimens are used in other characterization protocols, such as tensile and fatigue tests.