Is Tungsten carbide BulletProof? - FN 5.7 vs steel

Published on August 25, 2018
Duration: 11:47

This video features Edwin Sarkissian, a high-authority firearms content creator, conducting an experimental test comparing the ballistic resistance of tungsten carbide and steel plates. The tests reveal tungsten carbide's extreme brittleness, causing it to shatter upon impact from various calibers, while the steel plate demonstrates superior durability, sustaining only minor damage from most rounds.

Quick Summary

Tungsten carbide is not bulletproof. In ballistic tests, a 5mm tungsten carbide plate shattered upon impact from a .22 LR and disintegrated when hit by an FN Five-seveN pistol. This demonstrates its extreme brittleness, making it unsuitable for armor compared to steel plates which sustained only minor damage.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Material Introduction
  2. 01:28Test Setup and .22 LR Test
  3. 04:26FN 5.7 Testing
  4. 07:00Steel Plate Comparison
  5. 08:19Heavy Caliber Testing on Steel

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tungsten carbide bulletproof?

No, tungsten carbide is not bulletproof. In testing, a 5mm tungsten carbide plate shattered completely upon impact from a .22 LR and disintegrated into sharp shards when hit by an FN Five-seveN pistol, demonstrating extreme brittleness rather than ballistic resistance.

How does steel compare to tungsten carbide for ballistic protection?

A 5mm steel plate proved significantly more durable than a 5mm tungsten carbide plate. The steel sustained only minor dings from calibers like the FN 5.7 and .357 Magnum, while the tungsten carbide failed catastrophically.

What calibers were used to test the ballistic plates?

The ballistic plates were tested with a .22 LR rifle, an FN Five-seveN pistol (5.7x28mm), a .357 Magnum revolver, a 10mm Glock handgun, and a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle.

Why did the tungsten carbide plate shatter?

The tungsten carbide plate shattered due to its inherent extreme brittleness. While very hard and having a high melting point, it lacks the ductility to absorb and dissipate the energy of a high-velocity projectile, leading to catastrophic failure.

Related News

All News →

More Tactical & Gear Videos You Might Like

More from Edwin Sarkissian

View all →