Body Armor Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I ensure that my body armor fits correctly?1. For valuable tips on ensuring the correct fit of your body armor, refer to this informative article from PoliceOne.com.
   
   

2. Is it legal for civilians to purchase body armor?
   Body armour protection is regulated differently in each province in Canada. Be sure of the rules in your jurisdiction before purchasing. Read our article on Who Can Buy Body Armor in America for more information.
   
   

3. Do you offer discounts for first responders or military personnel?
   Absolutely! Contact us to learn more about the discounts we offer to first responders and military personnel.
   
   

4. What is the is NIJ?
   NIJ stands for the National Institute of Justice. As stated on their website, the NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. Their mission is to improve knowledge and understanding of crime and justice issues through scientific research. They provide objective and independent knowledge and tools to inform decision-making in the criminal and juvenile justice communities. The NIJ also sets the standards for Body Armor performance in North America and offers a Voluntary Certification process for armor products.
   
   

5. What is back face deformation?
   Back face deformation refers to the effect of a non-penetrating projectile on the rear face of a strike plate or body armor. The National Institute of Justice sets the allowable extent of deformation at 44mm, as specified in their standards.
   
   

6. Do trauma pads provide additional ballistic protection?
   No, trauma pads do not offer additional ballistic protection. Their purpose is to reduce blunt force trauma if your armor is struck by a bullet. Trauma pads are meant to be worn behind ballistic body armor panels, providing added comfort and enhancing the effectiveness of the hard armor plate.
   
   

7. Are all your products compliant with NIJ standards?
   All our body armor plates have been thoroughly tested to meet or exceed the NIJ requirements for their respective levels. For plates that do not fall under a NIJ threat level such as the GT2 plate from ShotStop or the MMD855SRT plate from MMD Armor, these plate undergo rigorous testing that mirrors the NIJ requirements and this testing data is available for interested customers. 
   
   

8. Can I test shoot my product?
   Rest assured, all our products have undergone rigorous testing by NIJ-accredited ballistics laboratories and third-party entities. Official lab reports of NIJ tests are available for all plates. Contact Us to speak to a product specialist or to request the test reports. 

9. How do I know if my body armor fits correctly?
   For expert advice on ensuring the correct fit of your body armor, please refer to this article Does Your Body Armor Fit Right?
    

10. What type of body armor do I need in the event of a rifle threat?
    Find detailed information on body armor suitable for rifle threats in the article "Choosing the Right Armor for the Right Risks"
    
    

11. How should I clean my body armor panels?
    To clean your body armor plates, use a damp towel to wipe them down, then allow them to dry before returning them to a carrier or vest.
    
    

12. I'm on a budget. What is the most cost-effective option for good protection?
    At Arctos Industries, we offer several cost effective plates with great warranties that will allow you to get quality made in North America protection. The Duritium III+PS plate, which provides excellent protection at an affordable price point. This plate comes with a 15-year warranty, offering unmatched value per year compared to others in the industry.
    
    

13. What material are your plates made of?
    All MMD Armor plate are made for a proprietary blend of advanced UHMWPE fibers, ceramics, thermoplastics and other materials to create a unique combination of protection in all of our rifle plates.
    
    All ShotStop plates are made of Duritium®, a proprietary technology portfolio consisting of patented, patents pending, and proprietary technologies. This advanced armor solution allows our plates to defeat various ballistic, blast, spike, and edge threats with exceptional efficiency and effectiveness. Compared to other body armor plates on the global market, ShotStop Duritium® technology enables up to 45% thinner and up to 200% lighter high-powered rifle protection at the same level of protection.
    
    

14. Are ShotStop's Duritium® rifle plates similar to other plates made of ceramic and poly?
    While our Duritium® rifle plates can be classified as ceramic and poly plates at a high level, there are significant differences in their composition and design. ShotStop plates employ a complex blend of molecularly complex formulas and vulcanization methods that offer unique advantages in terms of weight, thickness, price, and warranty. We have invested in extensive research and development since 1984, leveraging the expertise of the global polymers capital in Akron, Ohio, to create plates that excel in kinetic energy dispersion.
    
    

15. How do I determine which plate I need?
    To identify the plate that suits your needs, you need it determine what ammunition threats you want to be protected against and then look at the options that meet that threat. 
    
    

16. Are any of your plates stab-proof?
    Yes, all our hard body armor panels are designed to be stab and spike proof, offering enhanced protection in those scenarios.
    
    

17. What is the difference between hard and soft body armor?
    Hard body armor plates are rigid and made of materials like steel, ceramic, composite, or polyethylene. They are designed to stop rifle rounds and armor-piercing ammunition, depending on the specific plate. Soft body armor, on the other hand, is more flexible and movable. It is intended to defeat handgun and shotgun fire.
    
    

18. Can I order customized plates?
    Yes, we offer custom orders upon request. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements, and we will provide a quote. Minimum order quantities may apply in some cases.
    
    

19. How long do your plates last?
    The longevity of our plates depends on the type of body armor you purchase. Our plates all come with a NIJ standard 5 year warranty with some more expensive models coming with a 10 or even 15 year warranty.
    
    

20. What is the difference between single and multi-curve?
    Single Curve plates are curved on a vertical axis so that conform to the curve of the body from side to side. Multi Curve plates typically have three curvatures so that conform better to the chest form side to side, vertically over the pecs and on an angle at the bottom corners. MultiCurve plates are much more comfortable but more expensive to manufacture. There is no loss or increase in protection due solely to the curvature style.
    
    

21. Why do the PA plates indicate "III+" on the website but not on the label?
    On our website, the "III+" indication for our PA plates signifies that these plates not only meet all NIJ Level III requirements but also exceed them by stopping additional rounds, such as the 5.56 round. This "III+" marking on the website is not a regulated or official label.
    The label on the plate itself is subject to strict regulations imposed on ballistic plates listed on the NIJ Compliant Product List (CPL). Since the NIJ does not formally recognize the "+" symbol, we cannot include it on the label. However, please note that the PA plate does provide protection beyond the NIJ requirement, as indicated by the "III+" on our website.

22. Do your plates float?
    Yes, some of our plates float. They are either buoyancy neutral or buoyancy positive. They will either stay afloat or become slightly buoyant in water. In contrast, buoyancy-negative plates are heavier than water and will sink.
    
    

23. What temperatures can polyurea withstand?
    Polyurea used in our products, specifically VersaFlex polyureas, begins to develop their physical properties within minutes of application. These polyureas possess desirable properties, including a quick gel time, glass transition temperatures averaging from -40 degrees F to +480 degrees F, and a heat of deflection under no load of +250 degrees F. The safe upper limit for working temperature is +350 degrees F, under no load. However, polyurea will burn when exposed to direct flame, although it will self-extinguish when the flame is removed. It is important to note that these temperature ranges apply to our Duritium® finished composite products.
    
    

24. What is the V50 Report?
    The V50 report measures the upper limit capability of a plate. It determines the maximum velocity at which a specific bullet (e.g., 7.62/M80) can pass through or be stopped by the plate. The report includes indicators such as "P" (passed) and "C" (complete penetration) to signify whether the plate successfully stopped the bullet or allowed it to pass through, respectively. The average of multiple shots determines the V50 speed, representing the point at which the bullet penetrates the plate 50% of the time. The V50 report provides insight into the durability and performance of a plate.
    
    

25. Do you sell plates at wholesale?
    For information on becoming a dealer please contact us.
    
    

26. I noticed your plates have warranties longer than the standard 5 years. How can you confidently offer warranties up to 15 years?
    In the armor industry, manufacturers establish warranties beyond the minimum requirements set by standards. At Arctos Industries we have partnered with MMD Armor and ShotStop because they have conducted accelerated lab testing and ongoing tests that consistently exceed the 5-year standard requirements. 
    
    

27. How hot or cold can Armor plates withstand before their ballistic protection integrity is compromised?
    Our rifle plates have undergone internal and unofficial tests, subjecting them to repeated temperature cycles between approximately 250°F and 0°F over several days. These tests revealed that while the polyurea cover developed bubbles (cosmetic effect), the ballistics protection performance remained uncompromised.
    
    

28. Who wears your plates?
    Our body armor plates are worn by a range of professionals, including police officers, security personnel, ERT team members, and military personnel. We have also outfitted a large agency in New Zealand.
    

Did we miss anything? Contact us below with additional questions, to book a meeting with a product specialist, to place an order or discuss your teams unique armor needs. 

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