ASTM E3111/E3111M-21

Standard Test Methods for Ballistic Resistant Head Protection

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Justice standards and specifications may require these test methods for assessing the penetration resistance and backface deformation of ballistic-resistant helmets and face shields.  
5.2 These test methods may be used by private-sector and government laboratories, manufacturers, research and development organizations, and others assessing the ballistic resistance of helmets and face shields or performing research and development of new materials.  
5.3 It is intended that these test methods will be referenced by other standards and specifications.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods describe the tests for ballistic-resistant head protection which consists of helmets and face shields. Test methods address backface deformation, resistance to penetration, and ballistic limit. It is anticipated that these test methods will be referenced by purchasers or other users in specifications or performance standards for helmets in order to meet the user’s specific needs.
Note 1: ISO/IEC 17025 specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests or calibrations, or both. It covers testing and calibration performed using standard methods, non-standard methods, and laboratory-developed methods.  
1.2 These test methods do not address eye protection other than ballistic-resistant face shields that are attached to the helmet.  
1.3 These test methods do not specify performance criteria or usages of the test results.  
1.4 These test methods include procedures for conditioning of test items prior to ballistic testing.  
1.5 In these test methods, “other standards and specifications” and “unless specified elsewhere” refer to documents (for example, military standards, purchase specifications) that require the use of these test methods. Purchasers and other users are responsible for the “other standards and specifications,” and for specifying any requirements that supersede those of these test methods.  
1.5.1 Other standards and specifications will specify and describe the ballistic test threats to be used.  
1.6 Units—Values stated in either the International System of Units (metric) or U.S. Customary units (inch-pound) are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents. Both units are referenced to facilitate acquisition of materials internationally and minimize fabrication costs. Tests conducted using either system maintain repeatability and reproducibility of the test method and results are comparable.  
1.7 If there is a discrepancy between these test methods and a user supplied document, the user supplied document takes precedence.  
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2021
• ICS: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment
• Technical Committee: E54 - Homeland Security Applications
• Drafting Committee: E54.04 - Public Safety Equipment

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: E3111/E3111M − 21
Standard Test Methods for
1
Ballistic Resistant Head Protection
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE3111/E3111M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
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.
1. Scope be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
systemmaynotbeexactequivalents.Bothunitsarereferenced
1.1 These test methods describe the tests for ballistic-
to facilitate acquisition of materials internationally and mini-
resistant head protection which consists of helmets and face
mize fabrication costs. Tests conducted using either system
shields.Testmethodsaddressbackfacedeformation,resistance
maintain repeatability and reproducibility of the test method
topenetration,andballisticlimit.Itisanticipatedthatthesetest
and results are comparable.
methods will be referenced by purchasers or other users in
1.7 Ifthereisadiscrepancybetweenthesetestmethodsand
specifications or performance standards for helmets in order to
a user supplied document, the user supplied document takes
meet the user’s specific needs.
precedence.
NOTE 1—ISO/IEC 17025 specifies the general requirements for the
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
competencetocarryouttestsorcalibrations,orboth.Itcoverstestingand
calibrationperformedusingstandardmethods,non-standardmethods,and safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
laboratory-developed methods.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.2 These test methods do not address eye protection other
than ballistic-resistant face shields that are attached to the mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
helmet.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.3 These test methods do not specify performance criteria
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
or usages of the test results.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.4 These test methods include procedures for conditioning
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
of test items prior to ballistic testing.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.5 In these test methods, “other standards and specifica-
2. Referenced Documents
tions”and“unlessspecifiedelsewhere”refertodocuments(for
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
example, military standards, purchase specifications) that re-
D1141Practice for Preparation of Substitute Ocean Water
quire the use of these test methods. Purchasers and other users
E3004Specification for Preparation andVerification of Clay
are responsible for the “other standards and specifications,”
BlocksUsedinBallistic-ResistanceTestingofTorsoBody
and for specifying any requirements that supersede those of
Armor
these test methods.
E3005Terminology for Body Armor
1.5.1 Other standards and specifications will specify and
E3062Specification for Indoor Ballistic Test Ranges for
describe the ballistic test threats to be used.
Small Arms and Fragmentation Testing of Ballistic-
1.6 Units—Values stated in either the International System
resistant Items
of Units (metric) or U.S. Customary units (inch-pound) are to
E3110/E3110MTest Method for Collection of Ballistic
Limit Data for Ballistic-resistant Torso Body Armor and
Shoot Packs
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on
Homeland SecurityApplications and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
E54.04 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2021. Published August 2021. Originally
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E3111/E3111M–18.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E3111_E3111M-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E3111/E3111M − 21
3
2.2 Department of Defense Standards:
MIL-STD-662FV Test for Armor
50
Test Plan to Qualify a Contractor-selected, Non-contact
Back Face Deformation (BFD) Measurement System Rev
1,Release:November19,2020,U.S.ArmyAberdeenTest
4
Center
2.3 Other Standards:
AATCC Test Method 169Weather Resistance of Textiles:
5
Xenon Lamp Exposure
CSA Z262.2-14Specifications for facially featured head-
6
forms
ISO/IEC 17025General Requirements for the Competence
...

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.
Designation: E3111/E3111M − 18 E3111/E3111M − 21
Standard Test MethodMethods for
1
Ballistic Resistant Head Protection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3111/E3111M; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes the tests for ballistic-resistant head protection which consists of helmets and face shields. Test
methods address back face deformation, resistance to penetration, and ballistic limit. It is anticipated that this test method will be
referenced by purchasers or other users in specifications or performance standards for helmets in order to meet the user’s specific
needs.
NOTE 1—ISO/IEC 17025 specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests or calibrations, or both. It covers testing and calibration
performed using standard methods, non-standard methods, and laboratory-developed methods.
1.2 This test method does not address eye protection other than face shields that are attached to the helmet.
1.3 The test method does not specify performance criteria or usages of the test results.
1.4 This test method addresses conditioning of test items.
1.5 Purchasers and other users will specify and describe the ballistic test threats to be used. Within this test method, the reference
will be called the “test threats document.”
1.6 Units—Values stated in either the International System of Units (metric) or U.S. Customary units (inch-pound) are to be
regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents. Both units are referenced to
facilitate acquisition of materials internationally and minimize fabrication costs. Tests conducted using either system maintain
repeatability and reproducibility of the test method and results are comparable.
1.7 If there is a discrepancy between this test method and a user supplied document, the user supplied document takes precedence.
1.8 In this test method, “other standards and specifications” and “unless specified elsewhere” refer to documents (for example,
military standards, purchase specifications) that require the use of this test method. Purchasers and other users are responsible for
the “other standards and specifications” and for specifying any requirements that supersede those of this test method.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
ThisThese test method ismethods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications and isare the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E54.04 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Current edition approved March 1, 2018July 1, 2021. Published April 2018August 2021. Originally approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as
E3111/E3111M – 18. DOI: 10.1520/E3111_E3111M-18.10.1520/E3111_E3111M-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E3111/E3111M − 21
1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
E3004 Specification for Preparation and Verification of Clay Blocks Used in Ballistic-Resistance Testing of Torso Body Armor
E3005 Terminology for Body Armor
E3062 Specification for Indoor Ballistic Test Ranges for Small Arms and Fragmentation Testing of Ballistic-resistant Items
3
2.2 Department of Defense Standards:
MIL-STD-3027 Test Method Standard for Performance Requirements and Testing of Body Armor
MIL-STD-662F V Test for Armor
50
TOP 10-2-210 Test Operations Procedure Ballistic Testing of Hard Body Armor Using Clay Backing, Change 3
ATC-MMTB-IOP 051 Measurement of Back Face Deformation (BFD) using Faro Quantum Laser Scan Arm and
...