This review considers the development of impact testing of polymeric materials over the last decade. Increased utilisation of instrumented falling weight impact (IFWIM) testing is considered, together with the interpretation of the detail of force-time curves so obtained. Auxiliary techniques to aid interpretation of impact test data are considered, namely the low energy falling weight technique, high speed photography, short pulse flash photography and novel grid techniques to monitor crack growth. Application of these techniques is illustrated by reference to examples of testing on a variety of plastics and composites. Recent developments in the theoretical analysis of the flexed plate method which seek to obtain intrinsic materials property data under impact situations.
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