Also; these guys are making waves & seem to make legit products at unbelievable prices, incl. body armor, carriers, etc:
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My understanding is generally no; ceramic plates in your trunk are NOT "fine long term."
Not only do you have heat; you have significant temperature swings; overnight cooler vs. daytime heat, you have movement / rattling around, etc. Being bumped, jostled; the average movements you can expect during average driving. Constant vibration.
Then you have to consider if there's any sort of impact; a sudden, hard stop, any sort of collision, etc.
Actually, the more I dig into this (been a while since I did all my research, so this is a good refresh for me too) the more it makes ceramic look foolish for any situation where you don't have a big resupply chain behind you.
Here are some links to confirm what I'm saying:
Proper care and maintenance of ceramic body armor plates are essential to ensure their effectiveness and prolong their lifespan. Learn how to store, clean, inspect, and replace your ceramic body armor plates in this article.
- https://www.spartanarmorsystems.com/...-maintenance-/In reality, if steel core body armor is properly stored and maintained, it will outlast ceramic protection, which begins to deteriorate over time.
-- https://www.shotstop.net/blogs/blog/...y-armor-plates"?Use Extreme Care When Handling Ceramic Body Armor Plates?"
The following is part of an actual disclaimer from a ceramic body armor manufacturer/distributor:
Use extreme care when handling ceramic body armor plates or ceramic small arms protective inserts (SAPI). Although they can withstand the impact from a high velocity round, ceramic protection plates are breakable, and can be easily damaged or even shatter if dropped. Just a small chip or hairline crack invisible to the naked eye can affect the plate?s integrity and its ability to stop incoming rounds. It?s a good idea to have ceramic plates x-rayed at least once a year to check for unseen cracks.
One final - very reassuring & encouraging - note about ceramic plates:
Source: https://www.alwaysreadyhq.com/1204/c...or-shelf-life/Ceramic Plates Shatter On Impact.
Ceramic body armor is a one-time short-lived situation if you come under fire.
The full plate will take 1 to 3 rounds before it shatters, but it will break.Comment
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That's why most modern armor is hybrid ceramic and uhmwpe. The ceramic is small pieces and the plastic cushions it. Plus it's a lot cheaper and lighter than full ceramic.
Get steel if you want but do some research. I've see video where fragments flew up into a dummy's chin from underneath even with a spall coating.Comment
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Sounds just like combat in the sandbox to me...
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue." ----Sen. Barry Goldwater
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." ----Benjamin Franklin
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right.....and soldiers in the sandbox have a virtually unlimited supply chain behind them, so that when their plates get damaged (or I'd hope if they are even suspecting damage) they immediately get replaced.
My point is; what does the supply chain look like for an average citizen, esp. if we are at the point where wearing body armor is even infrequently needed in this country?Comment
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Sure; i never said spall doesn't happen; I said it seems to be greatly over-exaggerated.That's why most modern armor is hybrid ceramic and uhmwpe. The ceramic is small pieces and the plastic cushions it. Plus it's a lot cheaper and lighter than full ceramic.
Get steel if you want but do some research. I've see video where fragments flew up into a dummy's chin from underneath even with a spall coating.
Additionally; the test you saw; was it a fully kitted out plate carrier, or just a plate?
When you say spall coating; do you mean the typical black stuff that's sprayed on all steel plates?
If so, that's NOT what I'm talking about when I say "spall guards"; I mean actual, custom-designed and built with proper materials; a special sleeve for each plate.
The carrier itself acts as a spall guard of sorts, as well as all the stuff you should / will have on a normal carrier.
Just shooting at a bare plate on a flat range isn't really indicative of much as it relates to spall.Comment
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Flexible rifle plates looks promising.
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