Armor type definitions

Armor parts covering the torso front and torso back, with or without side coverage, shall each be impacted with the indicated number of fair hits. Armor parts covering the groin and coccyx shall each be impacted with three fair hits at 0° angle of incidence. The deformation due to the first fair hit shall be measured to determine compliance. No fair hit bullet or one impacting at a velocity lower than the minimum required bullet velocity shall penetrate the armor.

Abbreviations:
AP - Armor Piercing
FMJ - Full Metal Jacketed
JSP - Jacketed Soft Point
LRHV - Long Rifle High Velocity
RN - Round nose
SWC - Semi Wadcutter

Twaron ®

© Copyright Teijin Twaron

Until recently, effective body protection was an uncomfortable compromise between ballistic protection and restricted freedom of movement. The need for such a compromise was swept away when a new generation of fibers was developed at Teijin Twaron.
Twaron CT Microfilament is a highly resistant aramid fiber made from 1000 individual filaments with an extremely fine filament diameter. This means up to 50% more filaments than in traditional aramid yarns. The use of Twaron CT Microfilament in bullet resistant vests - patented by Teijin Twaron - makes protective clothing lighter, more flexible, and easier to wear. In short, the most efficient protection system on the market today.
The primary task of the protective material is to absorb ballistic energy in the shortest possible time. This is achieved through Twaron's high energy absorption, high tenacity, and high modulus of elasticity, which permits rapid dispersion of the deformation waves. Synergistic effects also result from the huge number of individual filaments. Bullet resistant, lightweight, and comfortable body armor made from Twaron® is used throughout the world today by the police (protection against direct fire) and by military personnel (mainly as protection against fragments caused by explosives).

Lexan ® polycarbonate

© Copyright General Electric Company

LEXAN® resin is one of the world's most impact-resistanT plastics, and GE's portfolio is very broad to include high flow, flame-resistant, glass-reinforced, blow molding and foamable grades.
With virtually unmatched impact resistance, outstanding dimensional stability, crystal-clarity, LEXAN polycarbonate resin continues to be a polycarbonate leader. The product is an amorphous engineering thermoplastic that combines high levels of mechanical, optical, electrical and thermal properties. LEXAN resin provides designers with new opportunities for innovative, cost-effective products such as eyewear, compact discs, water bottles, kitchen containers and business equipment.

Kevlar ®

© Copyright General Electric Company

KEVLAR® is one of the most important manmade organic fibers ever developed. Because of its unique combination of properties, KEVLAR® is used today in a wide variety of industrial applications. KEVLAR® para-aramid fiber possesses a remarkable combination of properties that has led to its adoption in a variety of end-uses since its commercial introduction in the early 1970's.
Fibers of KEVLAR® consist of long molecular chains produced from poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide. The chains are highly oriented with strong interchain bonding which result in a unique combination of properties.
• High Tensile Strength at Low Weight • Low Elongation to Break High Modulus (Structural Rigidity) • Low Electrical Conductivity • High Chemical Resistance • Low Thermal Shrinkage • High Toughness (Work-To-Break) • Excellent Dimensional Stability • High Cut Resistance • Flame Resistant, Self-Extinguishing