Top notch transparency! I’ve been holding off on my next armor purchase until now. With everything you post and the continued uploads weekly, I’ll be going with your teams equipment shortly. Hope all is well out your way and thank you for providing life saving gear to Americans at an affordable price-point. I’m baffled at the quality to cost ratio.
Can monolithic ceramic break “more” (cracks?) if dropped let’s say from 1.5m (the chest level) down to the ground (asphalt), compared to the one made with 50mm ceramic pieces?
Really depends on how the manufacturers address mechanical drop treatment (foam, for example). If a crack already exists (ceramic tile array), does dropping make it more or less likely to form a new crack between boundaries? Great question and I would argue that the smaller pieces (50mm) when adhered together with elongating adhesive are able to flex more than a single piece making them less vulnerable. But- in either case, well-manufactured ceramic armor is not vulnerable to normal wear and tear as you describe. You have to be VERY CAREFUL to avoid non-NIJ certified armor that also does not incorporate crack arrestors that would restrict damages in cases such as you suggest.
100% PE plates with at least 160gm2 and 30mm thick will stop many M193, M855 (this is not official advice - speaking from my own testing experience). Much easier and more reliable to stop penetrators with a thin layer of ceramic plus PE. Relying on PE only plates to stop penetrators is overall not a great idea - especially the M80A1 (if you think you could ever be faced with that projectile). 24-25mm PE can stop some of the 5.56/.223 FMJ ball ammo… especially oblique entries. This is all just my experience. Others may have different experiences.
Depends on how far apart they are and what the projectiles are. In general, mosaic tile with polyethylene backers are very good performers versus monolithic plates especially with glass backers.
Ive been researching this since trumps 2nd attack yesterday. I live in alberta, canada and ive read you need a permit to buy body armor. Figured making a plate diy might be the next best option in the land of the dumb.
I’m not sure about the local regulations in Canada. I’m also not sure if you could purchase various components and assemble them and whether that would also be subject to regulations/restrictions.
Top notch transparency! I’ve been holding off on my next armor purchase until now. With everything you post and the continued uploads weekly, I’ll be going with your teams equipment shortly. Hope all is well out your way and thank you for providing life saving gear to Americans at an affordable price-point. I’m baffled at the quality to cost ratio.
Thank you. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Can monolithic ceramic break “more” (cracks?) if dropped let’s say from 1.5m (the chest level) down to the ground (asphalt), compared to the one made with 50mm ceramic pieces?
Really depends on how the manufacturers address mechanical drop treatment (foam, for example). If a crack already exists (ceramic tile array), does dropping make it more or less likely to form a new crack between boundaries? Great question and I would argue that the smaller pieces (50mm) when adhered together with elongating adhesive are able to flex more than a single piece making them less vulnerable. But- in either case, well-manufactured ceramic armor is not vulnerable to normal wear and tear as you describe. You have to be VERY CAREFUL to avoid non-NIJ certified armor that also does not incorporate crack arrestors that would restrict damages in cases such as you suggest.
How do Polly plates stand up?
100% PE plates with at least 160gm2 and 30mm thick will stop many M193, M855 (this is not official advice - speaking from my own testing experience). Much easier and more reliable to stop penetrators with a thin layer of ceramic plus PE. Relying on PE only plates to stop penetrators is overall not a great idea - especially the M80A1 (if you think you could ever be faced with that projectile). 24-25mm PE can stop some of the 5.56/.223 FMJ ball ammo… especially oblique entries. This is all just my experience. Others may have different experiences.
Two tiles being hit at once, what happens?
Depends on how far apart they are and what the projectiles are. In general, mosaic tile with polyethylene backers are very good performers versus monolithic plates especially with glass backers.
Ive been researching this since trumps 2nd attack yesterday. I live in alberta, canada and ive read you need a permit to buy body armor. Figured making a plate diy might be the next best option in the land of the dumb.
I’m not sure about the local regulations in Canada. I’m also not sure if you could purchase various components and assemble them and whether that would also be subject to regulations/restrictions.