Replies to post #2381 on Bourque Industries Inc (BORK)

[KZMike]

Flatcat. . . hope you don't mind if I respond to your question.

I've got first hand experience in a certified testing lab for aircraft materials, though none of my testing was done with NIJ specs.

If my memory serves me correctly after reviewing the NIJ testing protocols a couple of weeks ago, this statement may refer to one or two protocols.

In one of the tests, the vest/material is tested after they are 'conditioned'. In this test, the vest/material is tumbled under controlled conditions, temp, humidity, time, etc, in order to replicate use of the vest.

Additionally, all 'certified' material testing in general, whether it be Kryron, or a rubber like material, needs to be tested in a conditioned state. This means that the material that is to undergo testing needs to at a certain temperature and humidity ranges for a given time period, usually at least 24 hours, depending on the material/item.

Testing a material that is 100° will test differently than the same material at 50°

[bobw02053]

NIJ information including conditioning info:

Advisory, Non-compliance, and Safety Notices from NIJ
[url][/url][tag]insert-text-here[/tag]http://www.prod.justnet.org/Pages/NIJ_BA_Notices.aspx

Current NIJ Notices and Body Armor Compliant (to standard-0101.06) Products List
[url][/url][tag]insert-text-here[/tag]http://www.prod.justnet.org/pages/BallisticCPL.aspx

JustNet Home Page
[url][/url][tag]insert-text-here[/tag]http://www.justnet.org/Pages/home.aspx

Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor
NIJ Standard 0101.06 (July 2008)
[url][/url][tag]insert-text-here[/tag]http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/223054.pdf


HARD ARMOR CONDITIONING PROTOCOL
6.1 Purpose and Scope
This section is designed to subject hard armors or plate inserts to conditions that are intended to provide some indication of armor’s ability to maintain ballistic performance after being exposed to conditions of heat, moisture, and mechanical wear. This protocol is intended to apply only to rigid systems. After this armor conditioning protocol, the ballistic performance will be verified with ballistic testing as described in section 7.
This protocol will not predict the service life of the armor nor does it simulate an exact period of time in the field.
This protocol consists of a four step process: (1) a 24-h acclimation period to ensure all items at any intended climatic test location will start with the same conditions, (2) a 10-d
uniform thermal exposure, (3) a thermal cycle exposure, and (4) mechanical durability testing (a drop test).

Note go to the NIJ Standard 0101.06 (July 2008) for the complete Protocol
[url][/url][tag]insert-text-here[/tag]http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/223054.pdf

Regards,
Bob