Current Status on
Standards & Specifications
for Protective Textiles
Presentation
by
Center of Excellence (Protech)
Indian armed forces being the
major users of protective textiles,
CoE has critically examined
specifications of protective textiles
used by them with an objective to
identify
whether
these
specifications match with the stateof-art technology and address if
gaps exist.
Background
CoE hopes that this exercise will help in providing
maximum protection to Indian armed forces and
at the same time it assists the manufacturers to
produce the right product.
Background
CoE examined the specifications of
Bullet proof jackets, Combat clothing,
Canvas tent fabrics and Woolen blankets
They were critically analyzed for the level protection
against - missiles, fire and heat.
Recommendations are made wherever necessary to have
highest degree of protection
Recommendations are also made to provide operational
efficiency, maximum comfort and smarter look to the
wearer
Technical Specification of
Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets
IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I
Recently MHA finalized
the above specification
as per NIJ Standard of
Ballistic Resistance of
Personal Body Armour
( Standard -010104 –
Threat Level III A
Hemant Karkare and Ajay Kamte who
died of bullet injuries during operation
against militants in Mumbai even
while wearing the protective gear.
IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I
E Clause
. Weight Jacket
Exisiting:
Total weight Jacket including Hard and Soft
armour panels, trauma pads and other carrier
should not exceed 6.31 Kg and 6.62 Kg for std.
and large sizes respectively
Recommendation:
Weight of individual components should be
specified along with total weight of the jacket
IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I
I Clause.
Material
Outer carrier material is made out of
high tenacity PU coated Nylon material.
Existing Specifications
Parameter
Test Method
Recommendations
Requirement
Fire
retardant
IS 11871
Duration after flame and
glow : 5 seconds each
Requirements are to be
modified as there are
two test methods –
vertical and inclined
Hydrostatic
head
IS 391(100
cm water)
Not specified
Minimum to be specified
Water
Penetration
IS 392
Should be Zero
Should be rated in 0 to
100 scale
UV
Protection
factor
IS 3417
Minimum 100
Test method is wrong (it
is older version for color
fastness
IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I
Clause M.
Soft Armour Panel (SAP)
Existing Specifications
Recommendations
Parameter
Test Method
Requirement
Fiber
Not
specified
Aramid/suitable
material
Weave and
GSM
Not
specified
Hydro
static head
IS 391(100
cm water)
Water
IS 392
penetration
PU coating
Not
specified
To specify what are
the other suitable
materials
To specify
Not specified
Should be Zero
Requirement to be
given
Should be rated in 0 to
100
% PU coating and test
method for
identification
IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I
Clause H (vi): Velcro
Existing: It is a Trade name of USA based company. Test method is not
specified.
Recommendation: Name should be replaced by “Hook and Loop
fastener” and tested as per IS 8156-1994
Clause H (viii): Belt/Kamarbandh
Existing: Made of Woven Nylon/polyester.
Recommendation: It should be made of same material as outer carrier
(Pu coated HT Nylon) with Hook and Loop fastener.
Clause K: Color
Existing: Specification not given
Recommendation: Provide specification
IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I
Clause H
Hard Armour Panel (HAP)
Existing:
Made of Polyethylene fibers; not covered with
PU Coated fabric to make it water proof
Recommendation:
Test method for PE fiber and
Test methods and minimum requirements for
identification of PU coating, %PU coating and
water proof to be included
IV-21011/10/2009-Prov. I
Following test parameters are to be included
1.
Fabric construction: EPI, PPI, weave, What about
warp and weft counts and GSM
2.
3.
4.
Durability: Tensile & Tear strength, abrasion resistance,
dimensional stability, color fastness to washing, light
and rubbing
% PU coating on the fabric and test method for
identification of the coating
“Surface Ignition” test
To be deleted
UV protection factor as the jacket is made of multi layers
of material
Requirements for
Advanced Integrated Combat Clothing System
• The existing specifications do not
speak about certain other properties
related to wear, comfort and safety
which depend upon the varying battle
field conditions.
• Besides, combat uniform should also
provide high mobility and smart look to
the soldier.
Revise the specifications for
• Durability
• Operational efficiency
Wear properties In general mechanical
properties such as tensile, tear and
bursting strengths indicate the fabric
wear property. However for combat
uniform in addition to these general
wear properties, it is essential to
measure wear resistance in terms of
abrasion.
Abrasion resistance should also
be included
requirements.
as
one
of
the
The requirement should be such that there should not be
“thread breaks” up to 50,000 abrasion cycles when tested as
per IS: 12673:1989.
Comfort
Properties
To
enhance comfort properties of
the Indian solider the following
two requirements may be added
to the existing specifications.
Air permeability of the fabric shall be at least
5 cc/sec/cm2 when tested according to IS
11056:1984.
Water vapor permeability (water method)
shall be 1400 g/m2/day (Minimum) when
tested according to ASTM E-96
Safety (Heat or flame resistant properties)
The presence of synthetic material such as polyester if exposed
to heat or flame melts and sticks to skin causing severe burns.
Combat uniforms having heat or flame resistance properties is
essential in the present day context..
The use of either FR fibers or FR coating should also be
included in the present specifications to meet surface ignition test
when tested as per ISO 15025 (no hole formation, no melting and
no dripping).
Wrinkle Recovery Although wrinkle recovery
property of the combat clothing is not directly
linked to the performance of the fabric during
the battle but good wrinkle recovery cloth
makes smarter look to the solider.
Therefore it is recommended that the
WR rating (after 24 hours) of the
combat shall be minimum 4 when
tested according to AATCC 128-2004.
Technical Specification completed by
CoE (Protech) till-date
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Indian Navy
5
CRPF
30
BSF
1
National Disaster Response Force 1
Railway Police Security Force
1
Defense Bio-engineering &
Electro-medical Laboratory
1
Specifications/Standards
Technical Specifications
prepared by NITRA
for
18
Specifications/Standards
Nylon Belt
NYCO Uniform
Multi purpose light weight
load bearing frame
with carrier facilities and
convertibility as stretcher
Waterproof multipurpose rain
poncho with convertibility as
bivouac
Life Jacket
19
Specifications/Standards
Anti-Mosquito Veil
Jungle Hat
Balaclava with convertible
properties as cap comforter, face
mask and cold weather muffler
Pouches
Durable Combat
Rucksack
20
Special operation Rope
Specifications/Standards
Technical Specifications
prepared by NITRA for
Indian Navy
Cap FS Blue
TShirt
Short
Socks
UNARMED COMBAT DRESS
FOR MARINE COMMANDOES
21
BORDER SECURITY FORCE STANDARD
SPECIFICATION FOR COLOUR CODE
OF CLOTH POLYESTER COTTON
DISRUPTIVE PATTERN
CRPF
“SPECIFICATION FOR COAT PARKA
“Sleeping Bag”.
SPECIFICATION FOR “BLANKET
SUPERIOR
“SPECIFICATION FOR Bottle”
SPECIFICATION FOR “LIGHT WEIGHT GROUND SHEET
Current status of IS Standards & Specifications
Standards required for
flowing products/areas
Nylon Life Jacket with
expendable polyethylene
foam, buckle and whistle
plastic
NYCO Combat Uniforms
Current status (BIS)
BIS standard framed in 1972
requires revisoin
Unarmed Combat dress
Pouch for ammunition and
grenades made of nylon 66
Durable Rucksack made of
Nylon 66
Tactical 3 Point Sling
Universal
BIS standard is not
available
Remarks regarding COE’s
role
Revised standard is
prepared; forwarded to BIS
for guidance thro’ TXC.
COE has framed
specifications and
forwarded to BIS for
guidance thro’ TXC
IS Standards are required for flowing products/areas
1. Protective clothing for welders
2. Cut proof fabric
3. Protective clothing for wildland firefighting
4. Protective gloves against thermal risks
5. Water Proof multipurpose rain poncho with
convertibility as bivouac
6. U.V. Protective wear
IS Standards are required for flowing products/areas
7. Multi purpose light weight load bearing frame with
carrier facility and convertibility as stretcher (Aluminum)
8. Anti Mosquito Veil
9. Gown for microorganism protection
10. Protective clothing for automobile racing drivers
11. Electrostatic protective clothing