How To Make Ballistics Gel

Step 1

Understand ballistics labs within the FBI and law enforcement often use ballistics gel to pie wound penetration. They use a special ordnance gelatin powder to make the gel to specific standards under carefully controlled conditions, and it is then calibrated for accuracy. This formula is made for recreational use and not scientific experimentation.

Step 2

Try to use gelatin powder made specifically for ballistics use, which is manufactured by Kind & Knox. However, the powder has to be special ordered in bulk and is expensive.

Step 3

Consider using plain Knox gelatin off the supermarket shelf. It cost approximately $10 US and will suffice for home usage.

Step 4

Mix a basic formula of one pound of gelatin powder to one gallon of water.(1/8 cup water per packet).

Step 5

You can also use the same amount of ingredients and just mix and cool!

Step 6

Consider mixing smaller batches one batch at a time unless you have extra large double boilers and spoons. By starting with smaller batches you can avoid wasting money should the larger batch burn, scorch or not set. The gelatin can also be mixed in two batches using 8 oz. of powder and 2 quarts of water.

Step 7

Measure out the cold water.

Step 8

Add the gelatin powder all at once but stir it in carefully instead of dumping the powder.

Step 9

Try to moisten all of the granules without adding too much air.

Step 10

Look for a mixture was the consistency of thick grits.

Step 11

Set the gel mixture in the refrigerator to chill and hydrate (a process known as “blooming”) for two hours.

Step 12

Set the gelatin over a pan of water (double boiler) and heated it until it melted.

Step 13

Use a candy thermometer to make sure the gelatin mixture doesn’t get hotter than 130 degrees.

Step 14

Stir carefully to minimize air getting trapped in the gelatin and to disperse the heat.

Step 15

Use a mold sprayed with silicone spray to avoid sticking. The professionals use specially constructed 6” x 6” x 16” molds coated inside with silicone spray for easy release.

Amateurs can use 32 oz. Glad Ware containers and non-stick cooking spray.

Step 16

Set the gel in the pan(s) to chill in a refrigerator for 36 hours before use.

Step 17

Carry it to the testing site in insulated containers.

Step 18

Carefully unmold it immediately before testing.

Step 19

#Cut each block in half if you need smaller sections. You can cut each block in half in half, for a total of four blocks measuring about 7.5cm x 12 cm x 13.5 cm.

Step 20

Recycle. Used in a clean setting, like a lab, blocks of ballistics gel can be recycled by melting them down and remolding them. Outside use may leave you with gel too full of dirt and wood splinters to be reclaimed.

Tips

When stirring the gel, stir it slowly to reduce the air bubbles.
Try to keep the mixture flat in the refrigerator, so when it gels over, it will be a flat surface.
When melting the gel, just leave it on the stove long enough to melt. Letting it sit too long will boil away some water.

Warnings

When melting the gel, do not turn the stove up high, because boiling it will make it turn out bad. The highest the stove should be on, is medium low, or 2-3.
The above steps are for recreational creation of ballistics gel and not for scientific use.
Never fire a weapon unless you are trained to do so and you're in an environment appropriately designated for weapons use.
Use extreme caution when using a stove top near children.
Use extreme caution when using ballistics gel to test penetration of foreign objects. If it can damage the gel, it can kill.

Things You'll Need

Gel powder
Water
Silicone or non-stick spray
Molds
Stove
Double boiler of appropriate size
Refrigerator with adequate space
Spoon long enough to stir and reach the bottom of pot. Also strong enough to stir gel without bending or breaking.

Via wikihow