A drop tower (2) for impact testing a sample (8) comprising at least one vertical guide (4), a sample holder (6) for receiving a sample (8) to be tested and an impact assembly (9) arranged to move vertically on the vertical guide (4). The drop tower (2) further comprises a lifting arrangement (14) for lifting the impact assembly (9) upwards and away from the sample holder (6) and a release arrangement (22) for releasing the impact assembly (9), thereby allowing it to move downwards into contact with the sample holder (6) or a sample (8) therein. An energy dissipation arrangement (24) comprising a mass block (26) is arranged beneath the impact assembly (9), resting on at least one resilient member (28) and thereby arranged in use to absorb energy from the impact assembly (9).
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