Test guideline VPAM

VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials

Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

TEST GUIDELINE

Bullet resistant plate materials

Englische Übersetzung, es gilt immer die deutsche Originalfassung!

English translation, however the original German version always prevails!

Editor:

Association of test laboratories for bullet resistant

materials and constructions

Edition: 2008-05-08

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

First edition of VPAM PM 2007: 2007-10-25

Documentation of modifications

Modifications
Modifications were made and numbered as follows
No. Date
1 2008-05-08 Foreword, introduction (renaming of APR 2006,
therefore changes at 2 and 4.1), 5

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

Foreword
These guideline was worked out by the (VPAM) Association of test laboratories for
bullet resistant materials and constructions. Members of the VPAM are:
• Beschussamt Wien (A)
• Ruestungsdirektion, Amt fuer Ruestung und Wehrtechnik, Felixdorf (A)
• Royal Military Academy, Dept. of Weapon Systems & Ballistics (ABAL), Bruessel
(B)
• Universitaet Bern, Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Bern (CH)
• armasuisse, Wissenschaft & Technologie, Thun (CH)
• Beschussamt Mellrichstadt (D)
• Beschussamt Muenchen (D)
• Beschussamt Ulm (D)
• Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei, Polizeitechnisches Institut (PTI), Muenster (D)
• vts Politie Nederland, Apeldoorn (NL)
• TNO Defence, Security and Safety, Rijswijk (NL)
• Politiets data - og materielltjeneste, Oslo (N)

Reference source VPAM - PM 2007:

Office:
Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei
VPAM Polizeitechnisches Institut
Postfach 48 03 53
Association of test 48080 Muenster
laboratories for bullet
resistant materials and Deutschland
constructions Tel.: +49 (0) 25 01 806-259
Fax: +49 (0) 25 01 806-239
E-Mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.vpam.eu oder www.dhpol.de

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

Table of contents
Seite

FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................ 3

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 6

1 FIELDS OF APPLICATION ...................................................................................... 7

2 NORMATIVE REFERENCE...................................................................................... 7

3 TERMS ...................................................................................................................... 8
3.1 PLATE MATERIALS .......................................................................................................8
3.2 TEST SPECIMEN ...........................................................................................................8
3.3 SPLINTER RELEASE......................................................................................................8
3.4 MULTIHIT 8

4 REQUIREMENTS, CLASSIFICATIONS AND TEST CONDITIONS ........................ 9

4.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, CLASSIFICATIONS AND TEST CONDITIONS .............................9
4.2 MULTIHIT TEST .............................................................................................................9
4.3 CALCULATION OF THE BALLISTIC LIMIT V50....................................................................9

5 TEST AND MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT ........................................................... 10

5.1 MEASURING AND TARGET SETUP ................................................................................10
5.2 CLAMPING FRAME / TEST SPECIMEN FIXTURE ..............................................................10
5.3 PENETRATION AND SPLINTER INDICATORS ..................................................................10

6 TEST PROCEDURES ............................................................................................. 11

6.1 GENERAL 11
6.2 NUMBER OF TEST SPECIMEN ......................................................................................11
6.3 TEST SPECIMEN SIZE ..................................................................................................11
6.4 TEST RANGE ..............................................................................................................11
6.5 NUMBER AND DISTANCE OF IMPACTS (HITS) ................................................................12
6.5.1 Triangle shooting..................................................................................................... 12
6.5.2 Multihit test .............................................................................................................. 12
6.5.3 Calculation of the ballistic limit V50 .......................................................................... 12
6.6 DETERMINATION OF POINTS OF IMPACT .......................................................................12

7 EVALUATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE TEST, TEST REPORT............ 13

ATTACHMENT 1: MEASURING AND TARGET SETUP ..................................................................14
ATTACHMENT 2: PLATE MATERIALS, SHOOTING DIRECTION AND POSITION OF IMPACT POINTS
(EXAMPLES) ...............................................................................................................14
ATTACHMENT 2: PLATE MATERIALS, SHOOTING DIRECTION AND POSITION OF IMPACT POINTS
(EXAMPLES) ...............................................................................................................15
ATTACHMENT 3: COORDINATE SYSTEM FOR DETERMINATION OF IMPACT POINT POSITION
(EXAMPLE) .................................................................................................................16

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

ATTACHMENT 4: REPRESENTATION OF IMPACT POINTS FOR CALCULATION OF THE BALLISTIC

LIMIT (V50) (EXAMPLE) ................................................................................................16
ATTACHMENT 4: REPRESENTATION OF IMPACT POINTS FOR CALCULATION OF THE BALLISTIC
LIMIT (V50) (EXAMPLE) ................................................................................................17

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

Introduction

The basics for ballistic tests and/or assessment of conformity1 of materials,

constructions and products, which offer protection against attacks with firearms are
described in the report „Allgemeine Pruefgrundlagen fuer ballistische Material-,
Konstruktions- und Produktpruefungen“ (General basics for ballistic material,
construction and product tests), VPAM - APR 2006.
This test guideline describes the specific requirements, classifications and test-
methods for „Bullet resistant plate materials“(PM).

1
To simplify the text the term TEST will be used.

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

1 Fields of application

Bullet resistant plate materials are supposed to protect people and objects against
bullets, fired from small arms and rifles (ballistic protection). These materials should
reduce the penetration of bullets or bullet fragments at an impact angle of 90°
(perpendicular hit).

2 Normative Reference
The following standardised documents contain modalities that have to be considered
as part of this test guideline as they are referred to. A reference with a date does not
comprise changes or corrections of this publication.
It is recommended that contractual partners who are using this guideline check the
possibility to use the latest version of the following standardised documents.
When using a reference without a date the latest version of the standardised
document is valid. Legal regulations apply to the latest valid version.
• VPAM - APR 2006, General basis for ballistic material, construction and product
tests.
• EN 10204, Metal products - Types of test-certificates
• EN 1063, Glass for construction engineering - special safety glazing - testing
methods and classification of the impact resistance.
• TDCC, Dimension sheet of the Permanent International Commission for testing
small arms. (C.I.P.)

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

3 Terms
The definitions of terms are generally defined in the APR 2006. For the appliance of
this test guideline the following additional terms are valid:

3.1 Plate materials

Plate materials are made of one or more layers of woven fabrics of organic or non-
organic materials in single or multiple layers (examples see attachment 2). The single
layers can be connected by gluing, forging, soldering, weaving, screwing or
clamping. Each layer must show a continuously unitary cross-section. Materials or
constructions tested according to the EN 1522 and 1523 (windows, doors, seals) or
EN1063 (glass for construction engineering) do not belong to this definition.

3.2 Test specimen

A sample prepared for testing.
Notice: The structure and the materials of the sample element must match the
specifications of the producer or the applicant. It must also represent the standard
quality of the product.
Each test specimen must be explicitly designated to identify the product.
Test-reports (e.g. EN10204-3.1 for steel and the batch number), the exact structure,
especially the material-composition and the production processes have to be
provided with each test specimen.

3.3 Splinter release

Splinters release is evident from the backside of the test specimen, if the splinter
indicator is penetrated.

3.4 Multihit
Multihit stands for 3 hits which show an equilateral triangle on the target. The centres
of the 3 hits must have a distance to each other of at least 3 times and at most 4
times the calibre.

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

4 Requirements, classifications and test conditions

4.1 General requirements, classifications and test conditions

Plate materials are classified according to the test steps of VPAM - APR 2006,
paragraph 4.1, table 1.
The designation of the classes reads as follows:
Class 7 as specified by VPAM - PM 2007

4.2 Multihit test

The test has to be carried out according to paragraph 6.5.2 of this guideline.

4.3 Calculation of the ballistic limit V50

The ballistic limit value V50 has to be carried out according to the method VPAM-
KNB paragraph 6.4.3 of the VPAM - APR 2006.

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

5 Test and measurement equipment

The VPAM - APR 2006, paragraphs 5 und 6, dictate the testing and measuring
equipment as well as the test procedure for plate materials.
The determined parameters of VPAM - APR 2006, paragraph 4.1, table 1, have to be
ascertained.
The test sequence must match attachment 1 of this guideline.

5.1 Measuring and target setup

Measuring and target setup must match to attachment 1 of this guideline.

5.2 Clamping frame / test specimen fixture

The test specimen has to be fixed as specified in attachment 1, fig. 2, to a rigid back-
sided frame. It should be fixed in a way the all sides have a support of 30 mm
minimum. The contact face is coated with 4 mm neoprene hardness 40 IRHD to
60 IRHD as specified in ISO 48. The floor space below the plate material must be of
neoprene of the same thickness and quality.
Attachment 2 shows how the test sample is fixed with four M12 bolts at the four
corners as follows:
Fasten the bolts without washers with a torque of 60 ± 2 N.
Test specimen whose attack-faced side is coated or covered with any kind of
material which allows a penetration of the fastening bolts into the material are to be
protected by an additional frame, size 500 x 500 mm. It has to be of flats
30 x 30 x 5 mm, positioned between the screws and the surface of the test specimen.
The screws are to be fastened with the same torque as mentioned before.
Comply with the test sample sizes and the clamping conditions of EN 1063 when
testing glass panels for special protected cars.

5.3 Penetration and splinter indicators

Use the indicators of VPAM - APR 2006, paragraphs 5.4 and 5.5 to determine
penetration and splinter release of test specimen.

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

6 Test procedures

6.1 General
If test procedures and characteristics are not defined here refer to the VPAM - APR
2006.

6.2 Number of test specimen

For any plate material to test at least three identical test specimen have to be
submitted at the same time.

6.3 Test specimen size

The size of the test sample is 500 x 500 mm (± 10 mm). Minor variations of the
dimensions must be approved by the test centre. These variations have to be
mentioned in the test report.
Note: When using inhomogeneous test specimen (e.g. ceramic panels) their
arrangement must be marked on the test specimen.

6.4 Test range

For plate materials the
• Bullet resistance is carried out according to the defined parameters of VPAM -
APR 2006, paragraph 4.1, table 1, together with the triangle impact defined in
paragraph 6.5.1.
Can be carried out optionally:
• Multihit test according to paragraph 6.5.2 of this guideline (except glass und
glass-like materials, e.g. ceramics)
• Calculation of the ballistic limit V50 according to no. 6.4.3 of VPAM - APR 2006
and paragraph 6.5.3 of this guideline (except glass und glass-like materials, e.g.
ceramics)

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

6.5 Number and distance of impacts (hits)

6.5.1 Triangle shooting

On a test specimen 3 shots have to be fired with a hit distance of 120 mm to each
other. Any single impact must not be closer to the inside of the clamping frame than
75 mm.
Note: At the test of inhomogeneous specimen as ceramic panels the hit triangle may
be enlarged to hit three single plates in their centres. Furthermore 3 gaps as shown
in attachment 2, fig. 4.1 and 4.2, are tested. The test centre defines the high risk
areas of other inhomogeneous test specimen.

6.5.2 Multihit test

On the test specimen 3 impacts are defined which have a distance to each other of 3
times the diameter of the calibre (tolerance + 5 mm). The border of the multihit
impact group must have a minimum distance of 120 mm to any impact of the triangle
shooting.
Any single impact must not be closer to the inside of the clamping frame than 75 mm.
This test can be carried out on a test sample which was already tested according to
paragraph 6.5.1.
Note: For inhomogeneous test specimen (e.g. ceramic panels) the multihit test is only
carried out for information purposes.

6.5.3 Calculation of the ballistic limit V50

The calculation of the ballistic limit V50 should comply with the display of the position
of impacts defined the limit like in attachment 4.
Note: For inhomogeneous test specimen (e.g. ceramic panels) the multihit test is only
carried out for information purposes.

6.6 Determination of points of impact

The points of impact on the test specimen must be marked and numbered according
to attachment 3 of this guideline.
The zero point of the coordinate system is laid into the bottom left corner of the test
sample. The ordinate is designated with the letter "Y", the abscissa with the letter "X".

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

7 Evaluation and documentation of the test, test report

Assessment and documentation of the test complies with VPAM - APR 2006, no. 7.
If the test was carried out according to paragraph 4.2 and/or paragraph 4.3 of this
guideline it has to be documented in the test report.

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

Attachment 1: Measuring and target setup

5+0.5 m, 10+0.5 m or selectable

max. 2.5 m

min. 1 m

Shooting direction

Weapon

Test object

V-measuring
device

Fig. 1: Clamping frame, test sample fixing

Fig. 2: clamping frame, test sample fixture

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

Attachment 2: Plate materials, shooting direction and position of impact points

(examples)

Fig. 1 Single, homogenous

plate
( l l )

Fig. 2 Combined panel

(also glass)

Aramid
Fig. 3
Steel

Steel
Fig. 4.1
Ceramic

Impact triangle
min. 120 mm

Seam (3 different points)

Fig.4.2
Crossing point (3 different
points) if necessary

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

Attachment 3: Coordinate system for determination of impact point position

(example)

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 Test guideline VPAM
VPAM Bullet resistant plate materials
Association of test PM 2007
laboratories for bullet - Requirements, classifications and
resistant materials and
constructions
test methods - Edition: 2008-05-08

Attachment 4: Representation of impact points for calculation of the ballistic limit

(V50) (example)

Impact location at an impact angle of 90° (unprepared test object)

The shots are released according to the sketch and in the sequence of the numbers
(impact distance to each other: min. 100 mm).
As a rule choose the impact distance so that there is no influence of one impact to
any other.
Remark: The files for the setup of a pattern to mark the points of impact can be downloaded
from the internet presence of the VPAM: www.vpam.eu “Zeichnung Schussmuster”.

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