Ceramic body armor has a job to do; protect you. But, once they’ve passed the expiration date, they lose a whole lot of effectiveness.
Let’s look at the ceramic body armor shelf life and how you can ensure your bulletproof vest lasts as long as possible.
Do armor plates actually expire?
Body armor naturally breaks down as the materials degrade, and the expiration date depends on what type of material it’s made of.
Most bulletproof vest manufacturers will warranty the armor for five years. While ceramic body armor may last up to seven years, it’s not recommended if you expect or need complete protection.
Expired ceramic body armor does provide some protection, but it’s not as strong, dependable, or effective as bulletproof vests that haven’t expired.
Things to Know About the Shelf Life of Ceramic Body Armor
Ceramic body armor isn’t a cheap investment, so you need to know all that you can.
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.
Is ceramic good body armor?
Body armor choice concerns personal preference and what you want the bulletproof vest for. Regardless of the type of plate protection, a bullet traveling at high speeds can penetrate body armor.
Ceramic is a lighter weight and protects against some bullets – handgun rounds such as. 44 Magnum and .45 ACP.
Handle with care.
If a few bullets can destroy it, it makes sense that you can’t just throw it in a locker, trunk, or closet carelessly. It’s so brittle that you really shouldn’t throw ceramic plates at all.
Avoid putting anything on top of ceramic body armor because it’s not meant to bear much weight.
You must store ceramic body armor in a dry and temperature-regulated space. Any moisture will damage body armor and cause it to degrade even faster.
You will want to ensure that whoever is handling your body armor understands the proper cleaning, car, and storage methods.
Clean carefully.
Anytime you see dirt, grime, or a stain on your body armor carrier, you can spot-clean the material with a mild detergent.
To clean the ceramic plates, you will need to remove them from the carrier. Use a soft cloth with gentle soap to clean the plates and a soft towel to dry them thoroughly.
At no time should ceramic body armor be submerged in water. It can trap moisture and cause the plates to deteriorate faster.
Follow the care instructions.
Always follow the ceramic body armor manufacturer’s care instructions. According to the National Insitute of Justice (NIJ), manufacturers must have suggested care instructions on all body armor labels.
You can’t just see a fracture.
In a lot of cases, you can’t see fractures in ceramic body armor. It means you have to spend the money to have it x-rayed to verify whether it’s cracked or not.
Experts recommend that you replace ceramic plates if you drop them because of unseen damage they may take on. If you suspect a fracture, you will want someone to check it out because it will affect the effectiveness.
Ceramic vs Steel Plate Body Armor
If you’re looking for body armor that lasts longer than ceramic, you may consider using steel body armor.
- Price. Steel body armor costs less. That doesn’t mean it’s lower quality; steel is just cheaper to make and more popular.
- Weight. Freedom of movement is vital in an emergency. Steel armor is heavier and more rigid than ceramic.
- Protection. Steel armor holds up against gunfire but is more likely to leave you with a broken rib if hit.
- Ease of cleaning. Steel plates are treated to be waterproof and safer to clean than ceramic body armor.
- Ease of storage. You can store steel plates flat while keeping ceramic in any way other than hanging is risky.
- Movement. Both steel and full ceramic body armor restrict movement to some degree. Ceramic plates are lighter but thicker than steel. At the same time, steel plates are heavier to wear. You may want to experiment with various bulletproof vests.
- Expiration date. Steel armor lasts anywhere between 5 and 10 years, while ceramic plates average between 5 and 7 years.
- Hard vs. soft body armor. Soft armor will expire faster than hard armor, especially in harsh environments.
Why does ceramic body armor expire?
We’ve talked a lot about ceramic body armor expiring but not much about why and how you can get a longer shelf life.
Humidity levels
Moisture is a side effect of humidity and can cause body armor to degrade quickly. It causes it to break down and become ineffective before its expiration date.
The rule of thumb is that the softer the plate, the less moisture it can tolerate.
UV rays
Keep all body armor out of sunlight because UV rays will break down the compounds and destroy them. Those who wear their armor primarily indoors get longer used out of their ceramic body armor.
Weight gain and weight loss
Your weight gain and loss can change the protective quality of your body armor. It may stress the ceramic panels inside your carrier if it gets too tight or not tight enough.
How to store ceramic body armor
Again, ceramic plates are uber fragile, so the way you store them makes all the difference regarding shelf life.
- Remove the plates from the carrier vest and wipe them gently with a soft fabric and mild soap or detergent.
- Dry the ceramic plates gently and store them in a cool, dry place with nothing on top.
- Some ceramic body armor is made to stay inside of the vest to hang securely.
- You can purchase body armor hangers specifically made to store bulletproof vests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ceramic armor plates expire?
Ceramic body armor expires somewhere between 5 and 7 years.
How fragile is ceramic armor?
Ceramic body armor is insanely fragile. Do not throw or drop ceramic armor plates. One chip or fracture ruins the entire integrity of the ceramic plate.
How often should I replace my body armor?
Just because it’s not expired doesn’t mean it doesn’t need replacing. Check for internal and external damage and any signs that it may be degrading.
Do ceramic armor plates break easily?
Ceramic body armor plates will break once it takes on a bullet’s impact. You will need to replace ceramic plates if it gets struck by a bullet.
How many hits can a ceramic plate take?
It will take 1 to 3 handgun rounds to shatter a ceramic plate.
What is the risk of using damaged or expired ceramic body armor?
Using old, expired, or worn-out ceramic body armor can lead to severe injury or death if hit by a bullet. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to caring for and replacing any body armor.
Is ceramic body armor my only option?
You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of the shelf life of ceramic body armor against that of steel plates in order to make the best decision for you.