Why There Are So Many Different Bulletproof Plates | HUASTATACTICAL.COM

Jenny       2022-03-24

The soft Bulletproof Vest is designed for military, police officers, and other law enforcement personnel when they are in a mission. And Bulletproof Plates be inserted in front and back pocket of ballistic carriers, it can protect you from harm or even death. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine keep going on, people would might ask which type of Bulletproof Plate should I have ? What is the difference of them ?

Bulletproof Plates: Your Added Protection Against Big Powerful Shot

Bulletproof Vest vs. Bulletproof Plate

Bulletproof Vest is a Bulletproof gear that aims to protect the user’s vital organs and not the whole body. It can either be a soft or hard armor. A soft armor has materials that are pliable and can be bent in various directions. Most soft Bulletproof Vest have NIJ (National Institute of Justice) levels II, IIA, and IIIA, which can repel handguns. 

On the other hand, if you face a threat with powerful projectiles, protection with hard armor or Bulletproof Plates is best. Most Bulletproof Plates have compressed polyethylene or ceramic plus a steel sheet in front. However, various types are now available in the market, which gives users more options to choose from.

Bulletproof Plate Materials

As mentioned earlier, soft Bulletproof Vests have lower levels under the NIJ standards. Bulletproof or hard plates have type III and IV NIJ levels, stronger to halt rifle rounds. 

A Bulletproof Plate’s ability to stop a bullet is mostly attributed to its materials. Two of the most common materials are ceramic and polyethylene.

Ceramic Plates  

Ceramic plates have ceramic tiles that can halt the projection of an incoming bullet. Various layers of backing materials, like Kevlar and steel, act as absorbing agents to support the ceramic and prevent accidental breakage. A typical material in making ceramic plates is lumina oxide. If you want a lighter plate, choose one that is made of silicon carbide. However, please take note that it costs so much more than lumina oxide. The top-tier material is boron carbide, a high-density material that is both lightweight and reliable, reaching up to level IV NIJ protection rating. 

One of the downsides of a ceramic Bulletproof Plate is what happens when a bullet hits it. It indeed stops a shot, but it’s design dictates that the ceramic will break as the bullet lands on it. Its mechanism means that it can only take a limited number of rounds as the plate gets damaged and weakens every time a bullet hits it. Eventually, it will no longer be sufficient enough to protect the life of its wearer.

Polyethylene Plates

Other than ceramic, another favorite among the military and law enforcement officers is polyethylene plates. Aside from being lightweight, it can resist more bullets than that of a ceramic plate.

Polyethylene Bulletproof Plates do not need backing materials, making it about 50% lighter than other material types. This material usually undergoes high-pressure treatment, which further improves its durability and lowers its weight.

Moreover, polyethylene plates do not break after a bullet’s impact. It is more flexible than a ceramic, making it a better option for combats and high-risk incidents, such as a school shooting.

One consideration that a user must take note of is a polyethylene plate’s price. It is costlier than a ceramic plate. Nevertheless, with its resilience and weight, you can worry less about your safety while wearing something that will keep you protected. 

Various Types of Plate Cuts

The Plate Cut and size affect the plate’s weight and the coverage it gives to the user. There is a good variety of Bulletproof Plates choices based on cuts and sizes available in the market. Here are four of the most common Bulletproof Plate cuts.

Full Cut  

A full cut Bulletproof Plate is either square or rectangular. It protects the whole back, hence its name. The downside of this cut is that it sometimes hinders some movements of the user.

Shooter’s Cut  

A shooter’s cut Bulletproof Plate has a rectangle shape and distinct cut-off corners above to enable its user to move better and improve their agility. It is known as shooters cut because it is best for those who need to carry weapons or artillery on their shoulders.

Swimmer’s Cut  

A swimmer’s cut is a modified shooter’s cut plate. The difference is that more area of the upper portion of the plate is removed to allow more movement in the shoulders and upper back.

SAPI  

SAPI means small arms protective inserts, which are preferred by the military. The inserts weigh from about 1.8 kg to 2.6 kg depending on its size.Keep in mind that when choosing your plate cut, make sure to assess your needs. Analyze how much of your torso needs additional coverage and the amount of body movement that will allow you to move fast.

HUASTA has been manufacturing and offering the bulletproof plates to clients since 2001, every products pass through the SHOOTING TEST, quality is guaranteed. If you have any interest, please feel free to contact us by mail@HuastaTactical.com.