How steel level 3 armor works
Steel body armor stops bullets through sheer hardness. When a projectile strikes the plate, it flattens or shatters on impact, unable to penetrate the hard steel layer. The projectile's energy is dissipated across the plate's surface. To be rated as level III under the NIJ 0101.06 standard, steel plates must reliably defeat 7.62mm NATO FMJ, JSP, and mild steel core rounds. This protects against common battlefield rifles like the AK-47 and AR-15 variants. Look for independently tested, NIJ-compliant plates to ensure reliable performance.Armor Material | Level III Protection | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Steel | Yes | Durable, affordable | Heavy |
Ceramic | Yes | Lightweight, multi-hit | Expensive |
Polyethylene | Yes | Lightweight, buoyant | Thick, expensive |