ASTM_E_3004_-_15.pdf

Designation:E300415Standard Specification forPreparation and Verification of Clay Blocks Used inBallistic-Resistance Testing of Torso Body Armor1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3004;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONAt the time when work on this specification was undertaken,different ballistic-resistant body armortest protocols required different impactors for verification of the clay blocks placed behind the testitems,and the lack of detailed guidance about the clay blocks resulted in different practices forpreparation and verification.To improve laboratory-to-laboratory consistency,major stakeholderssought to harmonize practices related to the preparation and verification of the clay blocks used fortesting of ballistic-resistant body armor.1.Scope1.1 The purpose of this specification is to provide a stan-dardized method for preparation and verification of backingassemblies used in ballistic-resistant torso body armor testingand to reduce variability within and between laboratories.1.2 The backing assembly is a clay block that containsROMA Plastilina No.12clay as the backing material.Theclay serves as a witness material and provides a measurableindication of test item performance.1.3 This specification is primarily directed toward testlaboratoriesbutmaybeapplicabletobodyarmormanufacturers,researchers,and end users performing ballistic-resistance testing of body armor.1.4 UnitsThe values stated in SI units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to non-SI units that are provided for informationonly.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3E3005 Terminology for Body Armor2.2 NIST Standard:4NIST Special Publication 330 The International System ofUnits(SI),2008 Edition,Barry N.Taylor and AmblerThompson,Editors3.Terminology3.1 The terms and definitions of Terminology E3005 applyfor the following terms:backing assembly,backing fixture,backing material and test item.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 backing assembly,na backing fixture filled withbacking material.For example,a clay block is a type of abacking assembly.3.2.2 backing fixture,nany apparatus designed to hold orcontain the backing material(s)for a specific test.3.2.3 backing material,nthe substance placed behind thetest item during testing which is intended to be a witnessmaterial and which may provide a measurable indication of testitem performance.1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 onHomeland Security Applications and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeE54.04 on Personal Protective Equipment(PPE).Current edition approved Nov.1,2015.Published November 2015.DOI:10.1520/E300415.2U.S.Government standards require ROMA Plastilina No.1,from SculptureHouse,Inc.,as the backing material for ballistic-resistance testing.3For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.4Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST),100Bureau Dr.,Stop 1070,Gaithersburg,MD 20899-1070,http:/www.nist.gov.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.2.4 bridge gauge,nan assembly used for measuring thatconsists of a depth gauge and supports that rest on oppositesides of the backing fixture.3.2.5 clay block,na type of backing assembly in whichthe backing material is ROMA Plastilina No.1 modelingclay.See Fig.1.3.2.6 clay package,nthe smallest unit of wrapped andlabeled clay as received from the supplier.3.2.7 depth gauge,ninstrument(for example,caliper)used to measure the indications in the backing material causedby the impactor.3.2.8 impactor,ncylindrical device,used during verifica-tion of the backing material,having specified dimensions andone hemispherical end.3.2.9 striking device,na device used on a clay block toestablish an appropriate,flat surface on the clay backingmaterial with respect to the backing fixture edges.3.2.10 test item,na single article intended for testing.Examples may include one panel,one plate,or one shoot pack.4.Significance and Use4.1 U.S.Department of Defense and U.S.Department ofJustice standards for assessing the performance of ballistic-resistant torso body armor require the use of backing assem-blies made wit