What is the difference between the two types of ballistic plates?
Knowing the difference between the two kinds of ballistic
plates is relevant in determining which of the two is likely suitable to your
need. Both plates are used to decelerate the speed of the impact, stop the
bullet from penetrating by breaking it down into fragments, and absorbing the
impact that may cause injury or blunt force trauma to the wearer.
What are the two kinds of ballistic plates?
Generally, they are differentiated as “Stand-Alone” and
“Insert Plates.”
Stand Alone Plates are made from ceramic or polyethylene,
designed to capture projectiles from high-powered handguns and rifles. Stand
alone, from the term itself, the plates doesn’t need soft armor vest to capture
any fragments from bullets. However, bear in mind that without a vest, the wearer
could experience blunt force trauma since there is nothing to cushion him from the
projectile impact.
Insert plates on the other hand are designed to be in
conjunction with a soft ballistic vest which must be NIJ certified level IIIA.
These plates are generally made from two materials; ceramic and polyethylene.
Ceramic plate is made by compressing and firing alumina ceramic powders and
formed into a monolithic tile. After firing, it will undergo a process by
adding composite GRP or aramid backing that will emit the structural strength
and multi hit capability of the ballistic plates.
These plates are formed into varying thickness so that it
can provide protection from different kinds of high caliber guns and other
armor piercing ammunition. An example of the ammunition is 7.62 x 63mm caliber.
It can withstand even a multi-strike ballistic impact.
Polyethylene plates are also made from polyethylene
materials and compressed into a solid plate. The thickness is similar to that
or thicker than the stand alone plates. It can provide protection up to 7.62 mm
NATO ball soft ammunition. The polyethylene plates are lighter that their
ceramic counterpart and are definitely more expensive as well.
