Ballistics gel is a material that is designed to simulate the density and viscosity of human flesh. It is mainly used for testing the performance of bullets in a controlled environment. It is also used to measure the penetration of bullets in ballistic vests and other body armor. The gel is also used for medical simulations, such as for testing surgical instruments. Ballistics gel is relatively easy to make and can be created in any laboratory setting with a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients Needed
The ingredients for making ballistics gel are simple and include: a bottle of liquid soap, a mixing bowl, a mixing spoon, a cup of salt, a gallon of distilled water, a bottle of corn syrup, and a bottle of glycerin. The liquid soap should be unscented and free of dyes. The glycerin should be food-grade as it will be ingested. The distilled water should also be free of contaminants.
Instructions
The first step in making ballistics gel is to mix the glycerin and the distilled water in a bowl. Start with 1 cup of glycerin and 1 gallon of distilled water. Stir the mixture until it is completely blended. Then, add the corn syrup and stir until blended. Next, add the bottle of liquid soap and stir until blended. Lastly, add the salt and stir until blended. The resulting mixture should be thick and gelatinous.
Baking
Once the mixture is blended, it needs to be baked in order to solidify the gel. Preheat an oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the gel evenly across the parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. The baking process helps to remove air bubbles and helps to solidify the gel.
Cooling
Once the gel is done baking, it needs to be cooled. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and set it aside to cool. Once the gel has cooled to room temperature, use a knife or spatula to cut it into cubes or slabs. The cubes or slabs can then be used for testing.
Storage
If the gel is not being used immediately, it should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator. The gel can be stored for up to 1 month. If it is stored for longer than 1 month, it may need to be remelted and re-baked in order to keep it from becoming too hard.
Tips
When making ballistics gel, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, make sure to use food-grade glycerin as it will be ingested. Second, stir the mixture until it is completely blended. Third, bake the gel in a preheated oven and allow it to cool before cutting it into cubes or slabs. Finally, store the gel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Conclusion
Ballistics gel is a material that is designed to simulate the density and viscosity of human flesh. It is mainly used for testing the performance of bullets in a controlled environment. It is relatively easy to make and can be created in any laboratory setting with a few simple ingredients. With the right ingredients, baking and cooling steps, and proper storage, ballistics gel can be made quickly and easily.