Evaluation of wounding potential of airguns using aluminium witness plates

What is it about?

We used aluminium witness plates to evaluate the wounding potential of airguns. Six different airguns and ten types of projectiles were considered.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The velocity and energy density (ED) of the projectiles fired at the witness plates were determined using a ballistic chronograph and high-speed camera. The ballistic limits (V50 and ED50) of the witness plate for the different projectile types were also obtained. The V50 and ED50 values were found to be within 86.0–167.0 m/s and 13.2–21.6 J/cm2, respectively. The percentage differences between V50 and the predicted threshold velocity for skin perforation were found to be less than 13%. These results demonstrated that the witness-plate method was suitable for wounding potential evaluation. A Student’s t-test comparison of the ED50 differences between paired projectiles further indicated a statistically significant influence of the projectile material and structure on the determined ED50, attributable to the deformation of the projectiles and the local-heat effect of the witness plates. The results of the study indicated that steel ball- and lead ball-type projectiles were respectively most suitable for the wounding potential evaluation of smooth-bore BB guns and airguns with rifled barrels.

Perspectives