Ballistic Plates: What You Have To Know

The number of situations where Ballistic plates or Shields is a must enhance in the US every day. However, this need for ballistic plates is limited to law enforcement officers. But these plates are becoming standard for regular civilians in urban and rural parts across several States.

A plate or plating of particularly hardened steel is beneficial to cover tanks, warships, fortifications, aircraft, etc., to shield them from enemy fire. Here are the essential bulletproof plate facts to know about before deciding whether to purchase it.

BODY ARMOR VS. BALLISTIC PLATE

Body armor is an Invincible bulletproof protective layer that aims to defend the user’s essential organs and not the entire body per se. There are two categories of body armor soft or hard. A soft armor has things that are flexible and bents in numerous directions. On the other hand, the soft body armors have levels like levels II, IIA, and IIIA, repelling revolvers.

Moreover, protection with hard armor or ballistic plates is best if you look at a threat with influential projectiles. Most ballistic vessels have compressed polyethylene or ceramic plus a steel sheet in front. Though, many types are now accessible in the market, which provides wearer more choices to choose from.

What is the material of these plates?

The soft body armors have lesser levels under the NIJ values. In contrast, ballistic or rigid plates have type III and IV NIJ levels, more vital to halt rifle discs.

Also, these plates’ ability to stop a bullet mainly depends upon their materials. Two of the most common ingredients are ceramic and polyethylene.

Ceramic Plates

Ceramic plates have ceramic tiles that can stop the speed of an incoming bullet. Numerous layers of support materials, like Kevlar and steel, act as captivating agents to sustenance the ceramic and halt unexpected breakage. The traditional material in manufacturing ceramic plates is lumina oxide. However, it can cost much more than lumina oxide. If you need a lighter plate, select one that is composed of silicon carbide. The top-tier substantial is boron carbide, a high-density significant that is both lightweight and reliable, attainment up to level IV NIJ defense rating.

One of the disadvantages of a ceramic plate is what occurs when a bullet hits it. It indeed halts a shot, but its design shows that the ceramic will break as the bullet lands on it. Its instrument means that it can only take a restricted number of bullets as the plate gets dented, and its performance becomes low every time a shot hits it. In conclusion, it will not extensively be sufficient enough to protect the life of its wearer.

Another drawback for ceramic plates is that they are heavy, based on the plate’s size. A standard ten by 12 inches plate is about 7.5 pounds. So two plates (back and front) will have a total heaviness of 15 pounds. It means that other than the mass you carry for your Bulletproof Top, you can have additional weight of 15 pounds if you have two add-on ceramic protective plates.

Polyethylene Plates

Another beneficial plate for protection is the polyethylene plate which is highly helpful for the military and law enforcement officers. Apart from being lightweight, it can fight more bullets than that of a ceramic plate.

Polyethylene plates do not necessarily support materials, making them about 50% lighter than other substantial types. This substance usually undergoes high-pressure handling, which further advances its toughness and lowers its weight.

Also, polyethylene plates do not break down after a bullet’s influence. It is more elastic than a ceramic, making it an improved option for battles and high-risk events, such as a school shooting.

One drawback of these plates is that they are more costly than ceramic plates because they are ceramic. However, it is a better option, and if you want a more safe container while wearing, that will keep you protected with its resilience and weight.

Armor Fitting Guide

The two factors you need to consider before buying hard armor are the chest size and the length of the plate. These two factors ensure that you have a perfect fitting of these plates, and you can have the quality performance of the bulletproof plate this way.

Chest Measurement: you can measure the underarms part around the completest part of the chest. Be sure to keep measuring tape level crosswise the back and quickly loose.

Length of Plate: see the plate length that is ideal for you and your body type. When standup, the top plate corner should come at the level of the vena jugularis notch. On the other hand, the Bottom of the plate edge should spread to about 4.5 inches above your amenity belt, ensuring the protection of essential organs and vessels. So, make sure that they fit your body perfectly well when standing or sitting.