Balistic Jell-o recipe[?]

nononsense

May 20, 2004 05:40

All it took was the time to type in the two words...

Here is a link for the basic recipe and development:

http://www.steyrscout.org/gelatin.htm

And here is the link to a lot of other articles for 'ballistic gelatin':

http://msxml.excite.com/info.xcite/search/web/ballistic+gelatin

This one is on the list but I think that it's worth posting for those that don't want use a link...

BALLISTIC GELATIN MIXING PROCEDURES

PRACTICED BY THE FBI

In December, 1988, the FBI Academy Firearms Training Unit (FTU) designed and implemented the FBI Ammunition Tests. The test designs are based on research and consultation with experts in the fields of wound ballistics, forensic pathology, wound research and medical research. The full report of this research is available on the FBI Ammunition Data and Sniper Targets CD ROM. This CD may be obtained from the FBI Ballistic Research Facility.

The tissue simulant utilized in FBI ballistic tests is Vyse ordinance gelatin. The mixture is 10%, by weight. The mentioned research shows that properly calibrated 10% ordinance gelatin is a reliable tissue simulant. Calibration of ballistic gelatin is verified by firing a .177 steel BB at 590 feet per second (fps), plus or minus 15 fps, into the gelatin, resulting in 8.5 centimeters (cm), plus or minus 1 cm, penetration (2.95" - 3.74"). During FBI tests, any gelatin blocks which fail the calibration test are discarded. Calibration results are not published due to the Pass/Fail nature of the test.

The gelatin is mixed in the following manner (assuming a 20 pound block is desired):

Weigh out two (2) lbs. of gelatin powder and place aside.

Weigh out 18 lbs. of hot 60? C (140? F) water in a plastic bucket. (Note: The FBI utilizes a scale which weighs to the nearest .01 lb).

Place 2.5 ml of Foam Eater in water.

Place approximately .5 ml. of oil of cinnamon into water (prevents fungus growth).

While utilizing a battery-operated drill with a mixing paddle attached, mix the water to the point of forming a whirlpool, but without introducing air into the mixture.

While the water is being mixed, slowly add the gelatin powder.

Pour the mixture into a clean mold pan.

Allow to stand at room temperature for approximately 4 hours.

Write date on small square of cardboard and place on top of mixture.

Place pan with mixture into refrigerator set at 4? C (39.2? F).

Allow to cure for 36 hours (note: larger blocks require longer cure time e.g. an 80lb block requires 96 hours to cure).

Blocks, over time, deteriorate and are temperature sensitive. Former FBI publications advocated utilizing blocks within 20 minutes of removal from the refrigerator (a general statement pertaining to ambient temperature indoors). Allowable time outside the refrigerator is, however, relative to the temperature of the test environment (e.g. a block removed from a refrigerator and maintained in a room at the same temperature as the refrigerator will retain its calibration significantly longer than one placed outside on a hot summer day). Note: some authorities believe mixing procedures may vary the consistency of gelatin. FBI studies indicate, however, that a block which displays the required level of penetration, within the required velocity range, is a "valid" tissue simulant.

The FBI Ballistic Research Facility conducts its tests in an environmentally controlled shooting laboratory. Blocks of gelatin are removed from the refrigerator and checked for calibration. Only valid blocks are used for testing. Blocks used in testing of conventional pistol ammunition are approximately 6.25" X 6.25" X 16". The initial block of gelatin used in a test is called the Primary Block. Each Primary block is utilized for a maximum of 5 shots, one in each corner, approximately 1.75" from the nearest edge, and one in the center. Tests conducted by the FBI indicate this placement of shots results in substantially the same penetration as single shots into virgin blocks of gelatin. Any shots which cross the wound path of previous shots are refired. Primary blocks are not utilized for more than 5 shots, to include any shots which are refired.

Because some shots may penetrate more than one block of gelatin, one or more "stopper" blocks are placed behind the primary block. The stopper blocks may be utilized for more than one test, provided that wound channels are not crossed. At the end of each test, the stopper block is placed back into the refrigerator while another stopper is utilized with an unused Primary block. Stopper blocks may receive more than 5 penetrations, provided that no wound channels are crossed (e.g. a stopper which has 5 penetrations of 3" into one end can be flipped over and used as a subsequent "stopper".

The FBI does not reuse gelatin. Used blocks are discarded.
______________________________________________________________________

I'm adding this here rather than waste a whole post for just a bit of information.

I had to re-read the recipe that I posted to be sure and it is suggested to use a commercial de-foamer. If I remember correctly, it is a very helpful addition especially when trying to pour larger molds, like I assume, a torso mold.

Another possiblity for filtering would be to use cheesecloth. I have never considered myself cheap but there are occassions where frugality is appropriate. Empirical testing requires that the gelatin not be re-used as is stated in the recipe above. But if we are testing for our own information, I will opt for recycling the gelatin for more tests.

If the weather is getting to the warm part of the year, large coolers will come in real handy at the range. I have no idea how they will handle the torsos but I just had several of the really big camping coolers (the ones with wheels are great) and kept them in the shade. If it's hot, then you will have to have ice to keep the blocks cool. Don't get the gelatin wet, though.

Fun topic, thanks!

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CHGOTHNDER

May 20, 2004 05:52

Thanks, nononsense. I have tried and found recipes that did not work and disabled links. I am going to try this one and will let you know.

PJ

If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM

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nononsense

May 20, 2004 07:12

If your are serious about trying this, I would contact the Knox Gelatin folks and get their input. After all, they make the product that you need to make the blocks. I think that there is a link from the one of the pages I listed. If not just do a search for Knox Gelatin and give them a call.

Best of luck!

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CHGOTHNDER

May 20, 2004 17:05

Thanks for all your help, I have the Range Master pulling the upper torso molds out and taking them to the carwash for cleaning. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again for all the help.

PJ

If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM

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nononsense

May 20, 2004 18:25

Whoa now, you can't just leave it like that! Torso molds? Come on, spit it out. There's got to be a story here and I know that I would like to hear it...please.

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v35

May 20, 2004 20:01

You can get 250A Ordnance gelatin with instructions on its'prep, refrigeration requirements, etc., from Kind and Knox,Park 80 West, Plaza 2, Saddlebrook, NJ 07662
I understand the gelatin test specimens need to be standard size or wounding data will be inconsistent because there will be more or less gelatin surrounding different impact areas of a gelatin torso.
It's also recommended to cast or assemble blocks deep enough to capture the bullets.

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CHGOTHNDER

May 21, 2004 05:28

nononsense, Torso mold are for training at the PD where I work part time as a Sgt., Range Officer, Armorer and Firearms Instructor. Just to answer some of the questions that newbies ask about impact and we will put a vest on one also (not the newbie) although some actually volunteer. After the handgun tests we really scare the crap out of them when we shoot a .223 right thru the vest, and stab one. It's fun to see that you actually put some fear in them, just when they thought the vest made them supermen...Very humbling.

PJ

If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM

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nononsense

May 21, 2004 08:29

I kinda figured that's where you were going with this. My curiosity extends to the mixing quantities and refrigeration. I've mixed block batches and have been able to refrigerate in a large walk in cooler but this sounds like many more batches or larger ones at least. I do like the idea of actual demonstrations for vests, it opens your eyes pretty wide...

One suggestion for the mixing of the gelatin. If at all possible, use a variable speed mixer. Mine was a laboratory chemical mixer that was variable speed. Adjust the speed of the mixer in the water before you add the gelatin. My mixer had paddles instead of the propeller type blades. It would run at a low speed and mix without add bubbles. As the article suggests, look for a whirlpool effect but don't 'whip' since that will add air to the mix and ruin the validation of the test media. I also bang on the sides of the mold to release any air bubbles that are clinging to the sides.

It sounds like a good demonstration. Any possibilities of photos? Probably not, but I know that they would get a lot of attention here.

Best of luck!

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bambihunter

May 22, 2004 01:29

Here's the one I used, it worked pretty good. It's been a while since I made it though...

http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/make/makegel.htm

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CHGOTHNDER

May 22, 2004 16:00

Thanks for all the help guy's and I'll let you know the rsults in a week or so.

PJ

If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM

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Balistic Jell-o recipe[?]

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