Blunt Force Trauma & Hard Armor

Published on September 15, 2017
Duration: 13:10

This video demonstrates a comprehensive test of a 20-year-old SAPI plate's ability to stop various rifle and shotgun rounds, focusing on blunt force trauma. Expert ballistic tester Scott from Kentucky Ballistics meticulously documents the energy transfer by measuring impressions left in a 25lb clay block. The test highlights the effectiveness of hard armor against common threats and its limitations under multi-hit scenarios.

Quick Summary

Kentucky Ballistics tests a 20-year-old SAPI plate against 5.56, 7.62x39, .30-06, and 12 Gauge rounds. The test measures blunt force trauma by observing clay block deformation. While the plate stops all tested rounds individually, it fails under multi-hit scenarios from an AK-47, highlighting performance limits.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Test Setup
  2. 01:585.56 FMJ Test
  3. 03:317.62x39 FMJ Test
  4. 05:02.30-06 Springfield Test
  5. 06:1012 Gauge Slug Test
  6. 07:17Multi-hit and Failure Test
  7. 08:17Armor Dissection
  8. 09:09Retesting 5.56 Energy Transfer

Frequently Asked Questions

How does age affect SAPI plate performance?

The test showed a 20-year-old SAPI plate remained effective at stopping multiple rifle and shotgun rounds. However, its multi-hit capability was compromised after sustained fire, indicating that while the material may not degrade significantly for single-shot protection, cumulative stress can lead to failure over time.

What is blunt force trauma in the context of body armor?

Blunt force trauma refers to the energy transferred to the body behind the armor when a projectile is stopped. This video measures it using a 25lb clay block, showing that even stopped rounds can cause significant impact, with larger calibers transferring more energy.

Can SAPI plates stop all rifle rounds?

While SAPI plates are designed to stop many rifle rounds, they have limitations. This test demonstrated that the plate failed after multiple close-proximity shots from an AK-47, indicating that sustained fire can overwhelm its protective capabilities.

What materials are typically used in SAPI plates?

SAPI plates commonly feature a ceramic strike face designed to shatter or deform incoming projectiles, backed by layers of high-strength synthetic fiber like Kevlar or Dyneema. This combination provides both penetration resistance and energy absorption.

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