Bullet-Resistant Materials Testing Methods New Standard and Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials Industry

1. Significance and Standard Issuance Background of the V50 Testing Method

On November 28, 2024, the Standardization Administration of China officially released the "V50 Testing Method for Bullet-Resistant Materials and Products" (GB/T 44951-2024), scheduled to be implemented on March 1, 2025. Drafted by the First Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security, this standard aims to establish a scientific and unified V50 testing method to accurately measure the bullet-resistant capability of bullet-resistant materials. The issuance of this standard is of great significance for the technological upgrading, industrial standardization, and international competitiveness enhancement of China's bullet-resistant materials.

The V50 value is a widely used performance evaluation index for bullet-resistant materials internationally, representing the velocity at which a bullet has a 50% probability of penetrating the target material when impacting it at a specific speed. A higher V50 value indicates stronger protective capabilities of the material. This index is not only used to assess the safety of products such as bullet-proof vests, bullet-proof helmets, blast blankets, and bullet-proof shields but also plays a decisive role in the research and development, production, and market access processes of protective materials.

In recent years, the global bullet-resistant materials market has grown rapidly, especially with China's bullet-proof products increasingly becoming competitive internationally. According to a recent report by Mordor Intelligence, the bullet-resistant materials market reached $14.67billionin2024andisprojectedtogrowatacompoundannualgrowthrateof5.41$19.1 billion by 2029. Under this market trend, the export proportion of China's bullet-resistant materials has been increasing annually, and domestic enterprises face stricter international standard requirements. Therefore, establishing a V50 testing method that is compatible with international standards will facilitate the smooth entry of China's bullet-proof products into overseas markets and enhance the overall industry standardization level.

Image: North America and Asia-Pacific are the core drivers of global bullet-resistant materials growth.

2. Application of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials in the Bullet-Resistant Field

2.1 Aramid Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials

Aramid fibers (such as Kevlar by DuPont and Twaron by Teijin Aramid from the Netherlands) are widely used in bullet-proof vests, bullet-proof helmets, and bullet-proof masks due to their high strength, high modulus, and impact resistance. China's independently developed aramid materials include Taparan and Aramid 1414, produced by Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. and China National Bluestar (Chengdu) Chenguang Technology Co., Ltd. Research shows that Kevlar 129 can achieve a typical penetration velocity of 600-800 m/s in V50 tests, providing more than five times the protective effect compared to steel of the same weight. Additionally, aramid fibers exhibit good heat resistance, maintaining good mechanical properties in high-temperature environments, making them the preferred material for military and police protective equipment.

2.2 Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Composite Materials

In recent years, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been increasingly applied in the bullet-resistant field due to its lighter weight and superior bullet-resistant properties. The specific gravity of UHMWPE is only around 1.0, while that of aramid fibers is approximately 1.4, meaning that for bullet-proof vests of the same protective level, UHMWPE materials can be over 30% lighter than aramid materials. Furthermore, UHMWPE has strong energy absorption capabilities, with a V50 value reaching 700-1000 m/s, suitable for high-level protective equipment such as advanced bullet-proof vests and armored vehicle armor.

2.3 Ceramic-Fiber Composite Materials

To enhance protective levels, ceramic-fiber-reinforced composite materials have become mainstream solutions for high-protection scenarios, such as military protective plates and fighter aircraft cockpit protection. This structure typically employs alumina (Al₂O₃), silicon carbide (SiC), or boron nitride (BN) ceramic plates as the hard protective layer, combined with aramid or UHMWPE fiber composite materials as the energy-absorbing layer. In V50 tests, such composite materials can achieve penetration velocities of over 1200 m/s, effectively resisting high-speed impact threats from rifle bullets and shrapnel.

3. Impact of the V50 Testing Method on Bullet-Resistant Material Research and Development

The issuance of the national standard "V50 Testing Method for Bullet-Resistant Materials and Products" not only standardizes product testing methods but also brings far-reaching impacts on the research and development direction of new bullet-resistant materials. In practical applications, the unification of the V50 testing method allows for direct horizontal comparisons of the protective capabilities of different materials, providing reliable data support for material optimization and new product development.

The scope of application of this standard covers various bullet-resistant products, including bullet-proof vests, bullet-proof helmets, bullet-proof shields, blast cans, blast blankets, and armored vehicle protective materials. Through strict testing requirements, it ensures that different bullet-resistant products are evaluated under the same experimental conditions, guaranteeing the scientificity and consistency of test data. Additionally, the standard stipulates key parameters during the testing process, such as ballistic limit calculation methods, correction formulas, and test report writing specifications, providing a unified technical basis for enterprises and scientific research institutions.

The standardization of the V50 testing method will directly drive the optimal design of bullet-resistant materials. For instance, in the application of fiber-reinforced composite materials, researchers can utilize V50 test data to adjust the number of layers, weaving methods, and matrix resin types to enhance their bullet-resistant capabilities. Furthermore, this standard can assist scientific research institutions in assessing the impact of different environmental factors (such as high temperature, humidity, and UV radiation) on material properties, providing important references for the reliability research of materials during long-term service.

From the perspective of international competition, the implementation of the V50 testing method will also help enhance the international market competitiveness of China's bullet-resistant materials. For a long time, European and American countries have formulated stringent requirements for bullet-resistant material standards, such as the U.S. NIJ standard, the European EN 1063 standard, and NATO's STANAG 4569 standard. Due to differing testing methods among countries, domestic bullet-resistant products often require additional localization certification for exports, increasing costs and time investments for enterprises. Nowadays, with the issuance of the V50 testing method, China's bullet-proof products can be evaluated under a more scientific and transparent standard framework, aligning with the international market, which helps reduce export barriers and provides greater convenience for domestic bullet-proof products to expand overseas markets.

4. Conclusion

The release of the "V50 Testing Method for Bullet-Resistant Materials and Products" marks an important step in the standardization of China's bullet-resistant materials industry. This standard not only provides a scientific and unified testing method for bullet-resistant products but also promotes the further development of fiber-reinforced composite materials, enabling them to play a greater role in future protective equipment. With the continuous growth in market demand and technological advancements, research on new composite materials will become more in-depth, such as carbon nanotube-reinforced composite materials and smart responsive protective materials, promising even better performance in future bullet-resistant equipment.

China's bullet-resistant materials industry is in a stage of rapid development. With the promotion and implementation of the V50 testing method, it will occupy a more important position in the international market in the future, contributing more "Made in China" strength to global safety protection technology.