According to manufacturers, an expiration date indicates the period where a product provides its maximum efficiency. It is the shelf life of an item.
This condition goes the same for body armors and ballistic products. These products have chemical components like Kevlar, composite, or other types of fiber that might degrade after some time. When body armor, bulletproof vest, and bulletproof helmets are constantly exposed to extreme heat from the sun, it can also absorb its harmful UV rays. According to studies, UV rays can also be a significant factor that lessens the shelf life of the protective gear.
Extreme heat, on the other hand, may affect particular materials, which may cause it to deform. Most bulletproof product users, such as the military, police enforcers, and security officers, have exposure to a damp environment, which could be more prominent during rainy and snowy weather. Constant exposure can shorten the estimated expiration cut-off of the gear. For example, the expiration of your bulletproof vest is five years. Working in a humid location can make the degradation process faster, which means the vest can expire earlier than the given cut-off time.
If bulletproof vests or bulletproof clothing are pressed to fit when a wearer gains weight, there will be unnecessary stress applied to the ballistic panels. On the other hand, if the bulletproof vest is not snuggly enough, the panels can move around the carrier, bumping each other.
Constant bumping on each other will also lessen the quality of the panels. A bulletproof gear may look intact externally to a casual observer, and even to its frequent wearer. However, the internal parts might have cracks, bendings, and warping from use.
These damages might result in easier bullet penetration to the body armor, which could be fatal to the wearer. There are two types of body armor: hard armor and soft armor. Each type has its strengths and weakness, which make it essential for you to know what will work best to protect you based on your expected activity and environment.
We recommend that you have your body armor checked regularly for signs of both external and internal damage by an expert in your field.
In the case that your gear has, in fact, degraded, it is encouraged that you replace your armor with a more recently-manufactured model.
The key thing to remember here is that you may need to replace your vest even before it has truly expired—it all depends on your individual circumstances. All of our soft armor products are manufactured at a Florida facility, and we pride ourselves on using the highest-quality materials in our development process. Body Armor Direct vests are certified by the National Institute of Justice, meaning that all of our products have been sent to an independent, government-approved laboratory and have been tested to ensure they meet the standard requirements for government use.
Close menu. Call Us: About Us. Ballistics Chart. Armor Test Videos. Dealer Info. Apply to Become a Dealer. A vest that is worn on a daily basis will need to be replaced sooner than a vest that is only worn on rare occasions.
The carrier may become damaged over time. All carriers need to be inspected on a regular basis to ensure that they fit well; if straps begin to stretch, or the Velcro is not working properly, you may want to purchase a replacement carrier. It is critical that the carrier remains undamaged, or the vest's protection level may be lowered as a result. The last thing that greatly affects the length of time that body armor can be used is the way it is worn.
Vests are made to be worn in a certain way. When the wearer gains or loses weight, it can decrease the lifespan of the body armor. Someone who loses a large amount of weight will put excess stress on the ballistic panels because they will be able to move around inside of the carrier rather than press snuggly against the body.
If someone gains weight, it could cause their vest to crease and damage the ballistic panels. It is important for you to wear a vest that fits you well and make adjustments when needed to ensure that the body armor works as well as it possibly can.
0コメント