ASTM F1352-02

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An American National Standard
Designation: F 1352 – 02
Standard Guide for
1
Fixed Blade Broadhead Performance and Safety Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1352; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope potential of an arrow to penetrate any target that it impacts.
These factors are principally the mass and velocity of the
1.1 This guide covers the formulation of preliminary guide-
arrow, the characteristics of the assembled arrow, and the
lines in six areas of broadhead performance and safety.
manner of flight of the arrow. Penetration is the actual depth an
1.2 The first three guidelines, flight, penetration, and sharp-
arrow penetrates in a given target. Considering that an arrow
ness, are related to performance, but they can have some
has given penetration potential, the actual depth of penetration
bearing on safety. The last three, impact resistance, assembly
will be a function of the material and consistency of the target
and attachment methods, and packaging, determine to a great
and the manner or attitude of the arrow when it strikes the
degree the safety level of the broadhead in the hands of the end
target.
user.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 This guide is not intended to be all-inclusive.There may
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
be additional aspects of performance and safety that need to be
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
addressed in order to have a comprehensive study of the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
subject matter.
2. Terminology 3.2 The suggested preliminary guideline summaries that
follow were developed by a consensus of bowhunters with
2.1 Definitions:
many years of field experience, industry people with knowl-
2.1.1 blades, n—the sharp, laterally extended elements of
edge in the design and manufacture of broadheads, and
the broadhead that perform the task of cutting after the arrow
individuals experienced in the distribution and retail areas of
impacts the target.
the business who have close contact with end users.
2.1.2 broadheads, n—devices for attachment to the forward
end of an arrow that are equipped with one or more sharp
4. Flight
cutting blades. Broadheads are used when hunting with a bow
4.1 It is quite probable that well-directed straight-line flight
and arrow to harvest game animals.
is the most important characteristic of an arrow equipped with
2.1.3 ferrule, n—the central structural section or component
a broadhead. All other factors, such as good penetration
of the broadhead to which the forward end of the arrow shaft
potential and high-impact resistance, cannot be used to their
is attached. In some broadhead types, the ferrule is integral
full extent if the broadhead-equipped arrow does not strike
with the blades. In other types of broadheads, the ferrule has
where it is aimed.
provisions to mount separable blades, but it may also have one
4.2 Straightnessofflightalsocontributestotheperformance
or more integral blades. The ferrule may have a projecting
and humaneness of the broadhead in that it increases the
threaded shaft that screws into a socket in the forward end of
probability of hitting the target, and enhances penetration
the arrow shaft, or it may have a hollow rear section into which
potential by reducing energy loss due to an angular impact.
the forward end of the arrow shaft is inserted.
Straight flight may also contribute to safety.
2.1.4 flight, n—the path taken by the arrow after it is
4.3 Fundamental principles of aerodynamics should be ap-
launched by the bow, but specifically including the character-
plied to any broadhead design and manufacture to achieve
istics of the motion of the arrow as it proceeds along the path
straightness of flight. Specifically, concentricity of the ferrule,
of flight.
balanced placement of the blades with respect to the centerline
2.1.5 penetration potential and penetration, n—penetration
of the ferrule, elimination of warps in the blades, and close
potential is the combination of many factors that determine the
weight control for consistency and balance are important
factors in the design and manufacture of broadheads.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
4.4 Mounting the broadhead on the arrow shaft can be a
Equipment, Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
critical operation. For aerodynamic reasons, it is important that
F08
...