ASTM F1352-91(1997)e1

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
e1
Designation: F 1352 – 91 (Reapproved 1997)
Standard Guide for
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.
e NOTE—Section 4 was corrected editorially in July 1998.
1. Scope These factors are principally the mass and velocity of the
arrow, the characteristics of the assembled arrow, and the
1.1 This guide covers the formulation of preliminary guide-
manner of flight of the arrow. Penetration is the actual depth an
lines in six areas of broadhead performance and safety.
arrow penetrates in a given target. Considering that an arrow
1.2 The first three guidelines, flight, penetration, and sharp-
has given penetration potential, the actual depth of penetration
ness, are related to performance, but they can have some
will be a function of the material and consistency of the target
bearing on safety. The last three, impact resistance, assembly
and the manner or attitude of the arrow when it strikes the
and attachment methods, and packaging, determine to a great
target.
degree the safety level of the broadhead in the hands of the end
user.
3. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 This guide is not intended to be all-inclusive. There may
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
be additional aspects of performance and safety that need to be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
addressed in order to have a comprehensive study of the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
subject matter.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2 The suggested preliminary guideline summaries that
2. Terminology follow were developed by a consensus of bowhunters with
many years of field experience, industry people with knowl-
2.1 Definitions:
edge in the design and manufacture of broadheads, and
2.1.1 blades—the sharp, laterally extended elements of the
individuals experienced in the distribution and retail areas of
broadhead that perform the task of cutting after the arrow
the business who have close contact with end users.
impacts the target.
2.1.2 broadheads—devices for attachment to the forward
4. Flight
end of an arrow that are equipped with one or more sharp
4.1 It is quite probable that well-directed straight-line flight
cutting blades. Broadheads are used when hunting with a bow
is the most important characteristic of an arrow equipped with
and arrow to harvest game animals.
a broadhead. All other factors, such as good penetration
2.1.3 ferrule—the central structural section or component of
potential and high-impact resistance, cannot be used to their
the broadhead to which the forward end of the arrow shaft is
full extent if the broadhead-equipped arrow does not strike
attached. In some broadhead types, the ferrule is integral with
where it is aimed.
the blades. In other types of broadheads, the ferrule has
4.2 Straightness of flight also contributes to the performance
provisions to mount separable blades, but it may also have one
and humaneness of the broadhead in that it increases the
or more integral blades. The ferrule may have a projecting
probability of hitting the target, and enhances penetration
threaded shaft that screws into a socket in the forward end of
potential by reducing energy loss due to an angular impact.
the arrow shaft, or it may have a hollow rear section into which
Straight flight may also contribute to safety.
the forward end of the arrow shaft is inserted.
4.3 Fundamental principles of aerodynamics should be ap-
2.1.4 flight—the path taken by the arrow after it is launched
plied to any broadhead design and manufacture to achieve
by the bow, but specifically including the characteristics of the
straightness of flight. Specifically, concentricity of the ferrule,
motion of the arrow as it proceeds along the path of flight.
balanced placement of the blades with respect to the centerline
2.1.5 penetration potential and penetration—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
potential of an arrow to penetrate any target that it impacts.
factors in the design and manufacture of broadheads.
4.4 Mounting the broadhead on the arrow shaft can be a
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-8 on Sports
critical operation. For aerodynamic reasons, it is important that
Equipment, Surfaces, and Facilitiesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
the blades of the broadhead be aligned accurately with the
F08.16on Archery Products.
longitudinal centerline of the arrow shaft. This is a function of
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 1991. Published November 1991.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F 1352
several factors: consistent alignment of the blades to the to test the relative penetration depths of various broadheads by
ferrule, concentricity of the ferrule, and alignment during shooting them into materials of uniform density and consis-
assembly of the ferrule and the shaft. For broadheads employ- tency. The effects of design features, such as length/width
ing threaded shaft mounting into inserts, the insert must be (L/W) ratio (Fig. 1), number of blades, number of cutouts,
concentric with the centerline of the shaft, and the contacting sharpness, etc., can be evaluated to optimize the design
base shoulder of the broadhead must be square with the configuration. Comparison with existing broadheads of proven
centerline of the ferrule. For broadheads with hollow bases into field performance is suggested as a criterion of acceptability.
which the arrow shaft is inserted, the cylindrical or tapered 6.3 Guidelines:
bore of the ferrule must be concentric with the body of the 6.3.1 Establish the minimum L/W ratio to ensure good
ferrule. For a cylindrical bore, the inside diametral tolerance slicing action.
must ensure a tight fit with the arrow shaft to maintain 6.3.2 Establish the minimum and maximum number of
alignment. For a tapered bore, the matching taper on the arrow blades and the minimum acceptable sharpness.
shaft must be concentric with the centerline of the shaft. 6.3.3 Establish other parameters affecting penetration poten-
4.5 When an arrow is being launched or is in flight, the tial, such as surface roughness, cutout design, sudden changes
blades of a broadhead act as guidance vanes tending to assume in cross section, tip design, etc.
control of the flight unless counteracted by adequately sized
7. Sharpness
and oriented fletching or other control elements attached to the
arrow. Normal practice is to use natural feather or synthetic 7.1 Standards for blade sharpness may be difficult to deter-
vane fletching at the rear of the arrow for this purpose. In
mine with a high degree of accuracy; however, most experi-
general, the best control for straight flight patterns is obtained
enced users of broadheads agree that such standards are
using straight-line fletching that is offset from the centerline of
desirable. Several performance-type tests have been in general
the shaft, or fletching
...