Material response under localised loading: proposed alternatives to ballistic gelatine for wound ballistics research.

In experimentation where replication of the human torso is required, ballistic gelatine has historically been the baseline material for the international research community. However, with many test standards requiring the provision of ballistic gelatine from a limited number of suppliers, and shrinking research budgets becoming ever more prevalent, it is paramount that alternative materials are investigated with the aim of reducing economic impact and environmental concerns associated with the supply chain alongside becoming more ethically advantageous. Whilst previous works established a relationship between quasistatic mechanical response and penetration performance, this study advances that understanding by examining how loading rate and surface finish interactions modify this response under localised loading. This study presents the literature with a more complete interpretation of material behaviour that more closely resemble impact loading conditions and clarifies the limitations on relying solely on low strain-rate mechanical characterisation when assessing surrogate fidelity. It is proposed that both animal and plant-based alternatives reported herein may be used as viable alternatives to Ballistic Gelatine, with the authors recommending areas of further work to ensure the research community fully understand each material's limitations.