X-Rays on Crashed Helmets

[Jim]

For those who were at the races this weekend, I got hit by a rider in T11a and knocked off my bike.
Fortunately, my face broke my fall.

So I just got my helmet X-Rayed at work and it looks clear.
I'm getting the images burned on a CD now and i'll post them soon.

What I want to know is how can you tell if the foam has been activated?
Tech took a quick look at it on Sunday and said it's not reusable, but there's no indication that the foam has been pushed out.

I'm hoping Graham or someone smart has will chime in here.

FYI - I already did buy a new helmet for this weekend's CCS round at NJMP, but was considering fixing up this helmet and keeping it as a spare.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Tech has to go by visible damage. If its structurally on and you have it repaired/painted I'm sure it will pass.

[Paul_E_D]

Pull the liner. You would see any crushed foam. Some companies paint it black so you can easily see white where the foam has cracked.

[DucDave]

Pull the liner. You would see any crushed foam. Some companies paint it black so you can easily see white where the foam has cracked.

Arai 's included....

[Jim]

- - - Updated - - -

and the only white i see is where the Eject bladder is.

so...is this safe to reuse?

[gadget]

glad you're ok

[Jim]

I dont see the white foam coming out anywhere. the very little white section is wear/scratches from the eject system.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

That helmet is fine.

[Tricky Mike]

Edit: typed before Degs' reply... Not necessarily a response to his post
Eh, I dunno man. I'd be interested to see what a known, definitely damaged helmet x-ray looks like for comparison. How subtle does the damage appear? You're not really looking for a big crack, right? Just a small compression of the polystyrene is enough to scrap the helmet?

Here's a question, though... could the polystyrene have compressed (maybe just a little) on the shell side and show no visible damage on the head side?

Edit2: Mmmmmmm M&M's

[scubasteveRR]

should have stuck your head in there before the x-ray, would have been cool!

[akira700]

should have stuck your head in there before the x-ray, would have been cool!

Would the brain damage be visible though?

[JohnnyV]

I thought with Arai you could send it back to them for a thorough check following a drop/crash

[kumpy]

Did you get your head X-Ray too?? haaaahaaa!

[Jim]

I thought with Arai you could send it back to them for a thorough check following a drop/crash

problem with Arai is they'll keep the helmet if they say it's no good.
however, i'm a bit skeptical with my findings here that they'll actually send it back regardless.

[scottfromboston]

Edit: typed before Degs' reply... Not necessarily a response to his post
Eh, I dunno man. I'd be interested to see what a known, definitely damaged helmet x-ray looks like for comparison. How subtle does the damage appear? You're not really looking for a big crack, right? Just a small compression of the polystyrene is enough to scrap the helmet?

Here's a question, though... could the polystyrene have compressed (maybe just a little) on the shell side and show no visible damage on the head side?

Edit2: Mmmmmmm M&M's

We use ultrasound to inspect for damage in composites. I don't know too much about x-ray, but IIRC it looks for density variations and wouldn't be an appropriate tool for inspecting for cracking and delaminations.

Re: the foam - this would worry me less; any force to the outside of the foam would have an equal/opposite (and less evenly distributed) force on the inside that would be visible.

[CBR929RE]

If it were me and I even had the thought of wearing it again I'd send it in to Arai to get checked. the helmet I crashed in last year only slide lightly on the pavement and I didn't use it again. could just bought a new side cover and top wing and been good to go but I never even looked at the foam inside. the channels in a Suomy make it easy to see compressions. you face planted and were even worried you had a concussion so I'd toss it on a shelf

[FireboltEric_MA]

If you even have to ask this question, I would retire the helmet. You will only have this little voice in the back of your head asking the same question over & over if you put it back on.

It did it's job, your head is still functioning... And you have the option of drinking from a straw still..

Good Luck!

[Kurlon]

You're questioning it, replace it.

[Jim]

it's not a matter of questioning it.

FYI - I already did buy a new helmet for this weekend's CCS round at NJMP, but was considering fixing up this helmet and keeping it as a spare.

[nt650hawk]

Jim I like your red one better. Nice commuting in with you.

[Jim]

Jim I like your red one better. Nice commuting in with you.

red one was the track helmet till last year when it hit 5 years. now it's a street helmet.

[FireboltEric_MA]

It sounds like you're questioning it. If you fix it & keep it as a spare for when you DO CRASH next you are right back to square one, Putting that helmet back on your head.

Don't be fooled by me being nice either, I am just concerned about your muscular chest, if you end up in a wheel chair drinking from straws them tits are going to sag something awful...

You're a big boy and can make your own decisions, again, Good Luck Bud!

[Jim]

the only thing i'm questioning is how to tell exactly if the foam has been activated.
there's nothing showing under the liner, and the x-ray looks clean.

i'm very skeptical of shipping it to Arai, as i suspect they'd take the helmet crash or no crash.

i already have a new helmet as a replacement, but wouldnt mind spending a few bucks to get replacement parts & paint for a spare/backup.

[butcher bergs]

IMO, it's not worth finding out (on your own) whether or not it's still good.

That helmet has been crashed. End of story.

[jerseygirl]

I had my buddy at The Service Pavilion check mine out after a crash. He definitely won't keep it. My guess is that he will say that helmet is done, but you can give him a try: http://www.theservicepavilion.com/. Rob used to work for Arai and started his own gig in 2002. Good luck!