Still think ceramic armor is "better" than steel?

[chopinbloc]

Is it ever really accurate to say that one thing is categorically "better" than another thing? I mean, except beer. Beer is definitely better than not having beer. For drinking.


https://youtu.be/0jEih2mAo1Y

While ceramic armor can stop some threats that steel armor can't and ceramic is sometimes marginally lighter (some steel plates are actually lighter than some ceramic plates of similar size), it is also thicker and less durable as well as significantly more expensive.

If .30-06 AP is a likely threat for you and if you can afford to replace a plate if you suspect it has been damaged, and if you expect that replacement plates will be available when you need them, ceramic may be a good choice.

If you don't think that armor piercing ammo is a high probability in your area, and if you intend to actually use your plates before they are needed, steel may give you more peace of mind.

Ceramic isn't quite as fragile as many would have you believe. If your plate carrier fell off your vehicle or if it is subjected to a bumpy road in your trunk, or if you trip and fall on a rock, it will probably still be fine. This test shows that a steel plate will still be fine and will survive much more than you can.

 

[Aim1]

I was waiting for a fragment to hit his truck. Can't believe he parked it so close. lol

 

[chopinbloc]

Fragments travel parallel to the plate. You can see that in the high speed.

 

[lysanderxiii]

Honestly, why more than IIIA?

 

[chopinbloc]

Because rifles exist.

 

[Jeff White]

If you put some Kevlar in the back of your plate carrier you don't have to worry so much about the fragments if the coating comes loose. Even some old IIA would be enough.

 

[chopinbloc]

It took one round of 7n6, three rounds of .270 and ten rounds of steel core 7.62x39mm to make the coating come loose and it still provided some protection.

But yeah, kevlar in front of the plate can help with fragments. Or you could scrape it, sand it, degrease it, and apply some bed liner.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I think the title is a rebuttle to an argument that's rarely made here, if ever. I rarely hear anyone say say that ceramic is categorically better than ceramic. Every kind of armor has strengths and weakness/disadvantages. Steel is certainly maleable and ductile in a way ceramic is not. I'm not sure the multi-hit survivability of steel is a big advantage for most of us. Even the US military doesn't think so, and they could use basically whatever armor they want.

Steel is a good material for armor for a lot of situations and users. You do have to take care with the spall; it can be lethal if it hits the brachial, femoral or carotid arteries.

 

[chopinbloc]

Well, you're right that the conversation here is a lot more measured than at other forums I frequent. It is The Highroad, after all.

Fragmentation can produce a serious and painful wound, but it has a very low probability of reaching arteries.



You're right that it should be addressed, though, and with the bed liner coatings as inexpensive and lightweight as they are, there is no excuse not to address it.

 

[taliv]

interesting poll results

btw,

If .30-06 AP is a likely threat for you and if you can afford to replace a plate if you suspect it has been damaged, and if you expect that replacement plates will be available when you need them, ceramic may be a good choice.

i don't know anybody who shoots 30-06 AP. heck, i don't know anyone who even uses 30-06 defensively (or offensively).
is there a police or military force we might encounter that uses 30-06? or issues AP ammo?
most sniper types get OTM type ammo like SMK or hornady TAP or something. They wouldn't be shooting at you with AP ammo.

but...

there are a large number that use AR15s with M193 and there are a ton of civilians that use M193 and M193 will zip through an awful lot of steel plates, even thin ar500, so imho, that would be the rationale for ceramic.

and at 4.8 lb vs 8.0 lb, steel would represent a 66% increase in weight, which to me is not "marginally" lighter


of course i agree with you that there are tradeoffs. pricing being the main one

 

[chopinbloc]

That's of you compare ESAPI to a level III plate. The ESAPI is very expensive compared to other ceramic plates. Some steel plates are actually lighter than some ceramic plates. Several manufacturers make level III+ plates that stop M193 but not all level III+ plates are equal.