Proposed standard for weighing body armor

Complex designs, multiple materials and technology advances in body armor have made it difficult for purchasers in law enforcement and the military to determine a basic characteristic—weight. ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) has proposed a new standard for comparing the relative weights of different body armor designs. The new standard, ASTM WK31929, “Test Method for Areal Density Measurement of an Armor Panel,” is under development by ASTM’s Subcommittee on Industrial Fibers and Metallic Reinforcements; ASTM International encourages participation in the development of its standards.