Hard armor plates are designed to provide enhanced protection against higher-caliber firearms and armor-piercing rounds. They are typically inserted into carrier vests and are used by military personnel, Special Security teams, and security forces in high-risk environments.
Materials Used in Hard Armor Plates:
- Ceramic:
- Alumina (Al2O3): Cost-effective and widely used ceramic material.
- Silicon Carbide (SiC): Lighter and more expensive than alumina, offering higher protection.
- Boron Carbide (B4C): One of the lightest and hardest materials available, providing superior protection but at a higher cost.
Polyethylene (UHMWPE – Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene):
- Lightweight and highly durable.
- Effective at stopping high-velocity rounds.
Steel:
- Heavy but highly durable and can withstand multiple hits.
- Often coated with anti-spall coatings to prevent shrapnel from the bullet.
