ASTM F1979-10

Standard Specification for Paintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes testing procedures and critical characteristics of 0.68 caliber paintballs which help define whether a paintball is suitable for use in the sport of paintball. Furthermore, the specification establishes minimum warning and package labeling to help ensure that the paintballs are used in a safe manner and that the risk of injury is reduced. Tests shall be performed to conform with the requirements specified in accordance with the following test methods: paintball compatibility with polycarbonate and paintball impact breakage test.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes testing procedures and critical characteristics of common calibers of paintball which help define whether a paintball is suitable for use in the sport of paintball. Furthermore, the specification establishes minimum warning and package labeling to help ensure that the paintballs are used in a safe manner and that the risk of injury is reduced.
1.2 This specification does not cover non-recreational paintballs, for example, those used by law enforcement, scientific, military, or theatrical entities.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This specification does not purport to address all of the safety issues associated with the sport of paintball. It is the responsibility of the user of this specification to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2010
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• ICS: 97.220.99 - Other sports equipment and facilities
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.24 - Paintball and Equipment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1979-09 - Standard Specification for Paintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Replaced By: ASTM F1979-10(2014) - Standard Specification for Paintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM F2801-19(2023) - Standard Practice for Paintball Player Safety Briefing
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F2856-12(2020) - Standard Practice for Transfilling and Safe Handling of Small CO<inf>2</inf> Cylinders for Use in Paintball
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F2773-13(2021) - Standard Practice for Transfilling Compressed Air or Nitrogen and Safe Handling of Small Paintball Cylinders
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F2679-15(2023) - Standard Specification for 6 mm Projectiles Used with Airsoft Guns
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F2278-19(2023) - Standard Test Method for Evaluating Paintball Barrier Netting
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F2573-06(2022) - Standard Specification for Low Velocity Resilient Material Projectile
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F1777-19(2023) - Standard Practice for Paintball Game Site Operation
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F2184-10(2022) - Standard Guide for Installation of Paintball Barrier Netting
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F2271-11(2023) - Standard Specification for Paintball Marker Barrel Blocking Devices
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F1776-22 - Standard Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Paintball Sports
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F3100-15(2023) - Standard Practice for Low Impact Paintball Field Operation
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Referred By: ASTM F2272-23 - Standard Specification for Paintball Markers
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F1979 −10 AnAmerican National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Paintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1979; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This specification sets forth a set of guidelines and testing procedures for the manufacturing of
common calibers of paintball. The goal is to provide paintball manufacturers with a specification that
promotes safety in the sport of paintball.
1. Scope 3.1.1 caliber, n—the term used to refer to the size of a
paintball projectile. Related to the measurement of the diam-
1.1 This specification establishes testing procedures and
eter of the paintball.
critical characteristics of common calibers of paintball which
help define whether a paintball is suitable for use in the sport 3.1.2 cubic centimeter, n—commonly used unit of volume
of paintball. Furthermore, the specification establishes mini- extendingthederivedSI-unitcubicmeterandcorrespondingto
mum warning and package labeling to help ensure that the the volume of a cube measuring1×1×1cm.
paintballs are used in a safe manner and that the risk of injury
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The mass of one cubic centimeter of
is reduced.
water is approximately equal to 1 g.
1.2 This specification does not cover non-recreational
3.1.3 fill material, n—liquid inside of a paintball.
paintballs, for example, those used by law enforcement,
3.1.4 paintball, n—spherical ball, with a diameter and
scientific, military, or theatrical entities.
weightasdefinedinTable1,comprisedofashellandafill,and
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
designed to be expelled from a paintball marker.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1.5 paintball marker, n—device specifically designed to
only.
discharge paintballs which conforms to Specification F2272.
1.4 This specification does not purport to address all of the
3.1.6 shell—rigid to semirigid material (generally of gela-
safety issues associated with the sport of paintball. It is the
tin) that encapsulates the fill of a paintball.
responsibility of the user of this specification to establish
appropriate safety and health practices and to comply with all
4. General Requirements
applicable laws and regulations.
4.1 pH of Fill Material—The pH of the fill material used in
2. Referenced Documents
the paintball shall measure between 4.0 and 8.0 as measured
2
using a 10% solution of the fill in distilled water. Measure-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ments shall be made using a properly calibrated pH meter. See
F2272Specification for Paintball Markers
Fig. 1 for the pH scale and pH levels for some common items.
3. Terminology
4.2 Paintball Fill Compatibility With Polycarbonate—
WhentestedinaccordancewithSection5,nomorethanoneof
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the three polycarbonate tensile bars exposed to the fill material
shall develop a visible crack that is greater than 6.5 mm (0.256
in.) in length.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
4.3 Maximum Weight—The paintballs shall not weigh more
Subcommittee F08.24 on Paintball and Equipment.
than as defined in Table 1 based on the caliber of the paintball.
Current edition approved July 1, 2010. Published August 2010. Originally
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as F1979–09. DOI:
4.4 Fill Color Limitations—The paintballs shall not contain
10.1520/F1979-10.
2
fill material with a color mimicking that of human blood.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.5 Diameter of Paintball—The diameter of the paintball as
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. measured both polar and at the seam shall measure within the
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F1979−10
TABLE 1 Common Calibers of Paintballs with Minimum and Maximum Diameter and Maximum Weight
68 Caliber 43 Caliber 50 Caliber 55 Caliber 62 Caliber
18 mm 11 mm 13 mm 14 mm 16 mm
Min (mm) Diameter 16.500 10.430 12.130 13.340 15.000
Max (mm) Diameter 18.000 11.390 13.240 14.560 16.420
Min (in) Diameter 0.650 0.410 0.470 0.520 0.590
Max (in.) Diameter 0.709 0.448 0.521 0.573 0.646
Weight (g) Maximum 3.500 0.900 1.400 1.700 2.500
Weight (oz) Maximum
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
An American National Standard
Designation:F1979–09 Designation: F1979 – 10
Standard Specification for
1
Paintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1979; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This specification sets forth a set of guidelines and testing procedures for the manufacturing of 0.68
caliber paintballs.common calibers of paintball. The goal is to provide paintball manufacturers with
a specification that promotes safety in the sport of paintball.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification establishes testing procedures and critical characteristics of 0.68 caliber paintballscommon calibers of
paintballwhichhelpdefinewhetherapaintballissuitableforuseinthesportofpaintball.Furthermore,thespecificationestablishes
minimum warning and package labeling to help ensure that the paintballs are used in a safe manner and that the risk of injury is
reduced.
1.2 This specification does not cover non-recreational paintballs, for example, those used by law enforcement, scientific,
military, or theatrical entities.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This specification does not purport to address all of the safety issues associated with the sport of paintball. It is the
responsibility of the user of this specification to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to comply with all applicable
laws and regulations.
2. Terminology Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F2272 Specification for Paintball Markers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2.1.1
3.1.1 caliber, n—the term used to refer to the size of a paintball projectile. Related to the measurement of the diameter of the
paintball.
3.1.2 cubic centimeter, n—commonly used unit of volume extending the derived SI-unit cubic meter and corresponding to the
volume of a cube measuring 1 3 1 3 1 cm.
2.1.1.1
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The mass of one cubic centimeter of water is approximately equal to 1 g.
2.1.2
3.1.3 fill material, n—liquid inside of a paintball.
2.1.3
3.1.4 paintball, n—sphericalball,commonlywithadiameterof17.3mm(0.68in.),comprisedofashellandafill,anddesigned
to be expelled from a paintball gun.
2.1.4—spherical ball, with a diameter and weight as defined in Table 1, comprised of a shell and a fill, and designed to be
expelled from a paintball marker.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.24 on
Paintball and Equipment.
Current edition approved JuneJuly 1, 2009.2010. Published July 2009.August 2010. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
F1979 – 049. DOI: 10.1520/F1979-109.
2
U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency, “Designation of Hazardous Substances List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities,” Comprehensive Environmental
Response Compensation and Liabilities Act, Bureau of Federal Affairs, 40CFR302.4, April 4, 1985.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1979 – 10
TABLE 1 Common Calibers of Paintballs with Minimum and Maximum Diameter and Maximum Weight
68 Caliber 43 Caliber 50 Caliber 55 Caliber 62 Caliber
18 mm 11 mm 13 mm 14 mm 16 mm
Min (mm) Diameter 16.500 10.430 12.130 13.340 15.000
Max (mm) Diameter 18.000 11.390 13.240 14.560 16.420
Min (in) Diameter 0.650 0.410 0.470 0.520 0.590
Max (in.) Diameter 0.709 0.448 0.521 0.573 0.646
Weight (g) Maximum 3.500 0.900 1.400 1.700 2.500
Weight (oz) Maximum 0.123 0.032 0.049 0.060 0.088
3.1.5 paintball marker, n—device specifically designed to discharge paintballs.
2.1.5—device specifically designed to discharge paintballs which conforms to Specification F2272.
3.1.6 shell—rigid to semirigid material (generally of gelatin) that encapsulates the fill of a paintball.
3.
4. General Requirements
3.1
4.1 pH of Fill Mater
...