With the continuous development of road transportation, traffic accidents and road surface deterioration have become increasingly severe. During vehicle operation, the body surface and various components inevitably endure impacts from sand, gravel, and other particulate debris. The impact resistance directly affects the vehicle's appearance, corrosion resistance, and service life. Consequently, the use of gravel impact testers has emerged as an essential protective measure.
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Vehicle Surface Coatings:
- For coated surfaces composed of organic films, damage intensity (e.g., penetration through the surface to the metal substrate) may lead to corrosion or structural failure.
- Standards:
- SAE J400: Chip Resistance of Automotive Coatings
- Great Wall Motor Q/CC JT122—2009: Anti-Stone Impact Test Method for PVC Primer Adhesive
- D24 1312: Coating Stone Chip Resistance (PSA Citroën Standard)
- DIN 55996-1:2001: Paints and Varnishes—Scratch Resistance of Coatings by Stone Chip Impact—Part 1: Multiple Impact Test
- Q/JLY J711120-2009: Geely Automobile Paint Film Stone Chip Resistance Test Method
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Automotive Glass:
- Small stones flicked by other vehicles during driving can cause dents or even shatter windshields.
- Standard:
- GB/T 32060-2015: Test Method for Gravel Impact Resistance of Window Glass for High-Speed EMUs
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In-Vehicle Cameras:
- Beyond functions like image transmission, recording, and safety monitoring, these components require impact resistance.
- Standard:
- QC/T 1128: Performance Test Standard for Automotive Cameras
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Automotive Radiators:
- Impacts on radiators may penetrate surface treatments to the base material, causing leaks.
- Standard:
- QC/T 468-2010: Automotive Radiators—Section 5.12: Gravel Impact Resistance Test Method
- Test Method:
- Target: Radiator core.
- Continuous喷射 (spray) with steel balls (61–65 HRC hardness, 4–5 mm diameter).
- Post-test: Seal integrity inspection.
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Wheel Hubs:
- Stones lodged in tire grooves may detach during acceleration, colliding with following vehicles or causing windshield cracks.
- Standard:
- QC-T 15-1992: General Test Methods for Automotive Plastic Products
- Test Method:
- Specimen mounted at 60° or 90° to the impact direction.
- Repeated 10 impacts using 9–12 mm granite/marble stones.
Additional Components Requiring Testing:
- Bumpers, headlights, grilles, springs, reversing radar sensors, battery enclosures, and automotive wiring harnesses.
Applications of Gravel Impact Testers:
- Evaluating cohesive failure of exterior coatings.
- Assessing interlayer adhesion failure in coating systems.
- Testing brittle thickness of hardened glass.
- Measuring anti-spalling resistance of coatings, plastics, and glass.
- Validating the impact resistance of single/multi-layer paint coatings against particle impacts simulating road/track conditions.
Conclusion:
Gravel impact testers serve as critical protective devices during vehicle operation, mitigating damage from stones, debris, and gravel to enhance safety and longevity. Given their importance, regular maintenance and proper usage are essential to ensure reliable performance and extend service life.
