Bulletproof vests provide a lot of protection for wearers and protect a large number of lives. History is a clear proof whether in the battlefield or in daily life.
From ancient metal armor to modern versions that have been integrated into a new generation of fabrics, soldiers have been wearing bulletproof vests and protective articles for combat and missions for centuries. However, a problem has not been solved yet – why is the hardware armor so heavy?
Companies that produce bulletproof vests around the world have made great efforts to make hard armor as light as possible. However, in this era, all hard armor has been strengthened, but their weight is a very headache, which is why there are still muscle related and mobility problems when wearing them. Hard armor is heavy because they are built to resist existing high-energy ammunition. In many cases, higher protection levels require heavier materials, especially ceramics.
But then again, is hard armor really worth it? For specific situations, the answer is yes. Otherwise, they will stop deploying and purchasing in key military operations, but on the contrary, hardware armor is increasingly purchased in the army.
The use of hardware armor depends on the tactical role of the mission. When seeking armor investment, it is important to maintain a balance between weight and ballistic protection.
That’s why we need to understand the material behind the hardware armor. What makes bulletproof vests so heavy? What new methods are being studied to make bulletproof vests lighter without sacrificing any protective properties?
What Are Bulletproof Vests Made Of?
By the end of the 20th century, more innovative soft and hard armor was invented. Soft armor is made of a variety of materials, mainly scientific and advanced fabrics, such as Kevlar, a new fabric composed of fine mesh materials, which achieves the purpose of protection by reducing the impact of bullets.
At the same time, hardware armor uses more hard layers such as ceramics to achieve the purpose of protection. Here are more facts about hard armor today:
Material
The main component of bulletproof clothing is bulletproof plate, which is placed on the chest and back. The performance of ballistic plates depends on the intended design and the use of materials, whether for soft or hard armor. To wear the panel, it must be inserted into the bulletproof vest.
The materials of hardware armor may include ceramics, ceramic composites or bulletproof fibers, especially aramid fibers, such as Kevlar.
As for vest carriers, they are made of viable fabrics such as Cordura nylon and cotton.
Production Process
Bulletproof plate is usually a combination of bulletproof fabric and ceramics. The fibers in the bulletproof fabric need to be wound around each other to ensure that they are tight enough and effective for armor. The fabric is covered with a resin material and placed between the plastic layers.
This advanced fiber can not only prevent bullet penetration, but also prevent the trauma of the injured part by dispersing the force on the surface of the steel plate. Ceramics are added to the mixture to obtain better protection.
The ceramic placed in the breastplate is removable or can be built into the bulletproof vest. For removable armor plates, either type may be effective depending on the wearer’s use.
Hard Bulletproof Plates
With a weight of 8 pounds and a thickness of 0.26 inches, this bulletproof plate has good multi hit performance and class III + protection. It is made of bulletproof steel core and measures 10 x 12 inches. It has an advanced shooter cut (ASC).
An impact that may exceed the armor limit will cause the armor to crack. Cracks are a sign that the armor’s ability to slow down oncoming bullets is impaired. At this point, the penetration resistance is still significantly intact, but the wearer needs to be more cautious.
AR500 armor level III + 10×12 advanced shooter cutting (ASC) board banner has good multiple hit performance, which means that the armor can resist multiple bullets fired at one time and reduce its firing speed when the armor breaks. It provides lighter weight and greater mobility.
Innovation And Breakthrough Of Hardware Plates
Since the development of the world from armor casting metal in the past to the present, the company and scientists have been committed to improving the effectiveness of armor for many years, which has led to some of the most advanced bulletproof vests today. Here are some examples of these advances
The first thing you will notice from dfndr armor is that they tend to be lighter and maintain the same level of protection even without a higher level of protection. Dfndr is said to be one of the most advanced armor systems. It provides a ceramic mechanism with low density but incredible toughness.
Their vests are approved as multi hit armor, and their adhesive parts are aerospace grade. Here are some dfndr lightweight panels.
Selection Diversity Of Bulletproof Plates
As you may see, innovative high-end light armor may not only be expensive, but also have unnecessary functions. When your life is at stake, absolute protection performance can help you, rather than various small functions.
What kind of bulletproof plate you should choose depends on how you may wear armor.
The price of light armor plate may be as high as $500 or more, and the existing vest may not even meet your needs. For example, an armor plate used to carry high-power bullets, but its weight is too heavy to move easily on the battlefield. This is not the best choice.
Military situations that do not require much mobility due to tactical factors (such as being confined to vehicles or defending a specific location) are more likely to require heavier armor.
For the police and military who must hunt down and contain criminals, they need armor or vests to enable them to move and comfortable. When worn for a long time, these should not cause pressure, but they should also have certain protective performance to protect themselves in dangerous situations. However, this protective performance does not need top-level protection, because Street conflicts generally do not need top-level protection.
For those who don’t need it for many times of the day, but need it in dangerous special situations, a removable hard board can even come in handy. Lightweight armor and vests are convenient, in part for civilians who want to wear them on ordinary days to increase protection.
The best way to assess whether a certain type of body armor is suitable for you is to check its specified NIJ protection level and other specifications. For example, class II armor is classified as short barrel pistol protection, but it usually cannot resist rifle ammunition. Level 4 armor can resist rifle ammunition.
Does Hard Armor Suit You?
If the situation doesn’t need to, you don’t need a robot that looks like an armored robot.
Although it’s cool to be a robot cop, you should determine your needs for work, life and entertainment, as well as possible possibilities.
Hardware armor provides better ballistic protection, and innovative materials are constantly being studied to improve its protection and lightweight performance. In terms of protection, even the fastest and hardest bullets can stop, but their heavy load makes it difficult for them to move. Lightweight body armor exists to compromise weight and protection.
The bottom line is to carefully evaluate your needs and budget. Make informed decisions by consulting your peers or superiors, studying your work, and checking the specifications of hard armor. Choose the best solution to balance protection and mobility to meet your needs.
