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How Much Does a Bulletproof Vest Cost?
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How Much Does a Bulletproof Vest Cost?
Bulletproof vests and armor plates are crucial investments that protect you anywhere. Law enforcement, security guards, first responders and more rely on these protective elements to keep them safe on the job. When selecting a vest, you want to consider your well-being while ensuring you get the most value for money. To get more news about buller proof vest, you can visit bulletproofboxs.com official website.
While the prices of body armor are subject to market forces and obey the laws of demand and supply just like any other product, many people cannot help but wonder what the rationale behind the pricing of bulletproof vests is. A lot of time goes into designing, manufacturing and testing these bulletproof vests, aiming to produce vests that offer the utmost strength and durability. This time makes bulletproof vests significant investments, and it is only fair that you understand exactly what you are paying for.
We outline the variables that affect the cost of bulletproof vests, including type, quality standards, durability, concealability and more, giving you the information you need to make an educated decision.
Soft armor is flexible, made primarily from fabrics like Kevlar or UHMWPE (the same as our PEAD and polyethylene), and provides high-strength, reliable performance. These vests usually come in single or stand-alone panels, typically worn beneath clothing and other gear. External soft vests are available at a higher price, offering a vest with more features like pockets, velcro and Molle.Hard armor comes in multiple components, including a soft armor shell, plate carrier and armor plate inserts. These vests are highly customizable, as you usually purchase each part separately, allowing you to mix and match. You will have three options for plates — steel, ceramic and polyethylene — all affecting what you can do and the price you'll pay.
Steel plates are the heaviest, cheapest and least effective body armor, costing around $100 to $600 depending on the NIJ level. Steel doesn't conform to your body and results in heavy spalling, which can cause fragmentation and injury.
Ceramic and polyethylene (UHMWPE/PEAD) plates utilize innovative technology to be lighter in weight while still being high strength. These options cost more, ranging from $120 and above depending on the NIJ level.The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) classifies personal body armor into five categories, signifying different levels of protection. NIJ standards determine a bulletproof vest's effectiveness, improving the level of strength and safety as the rating increase. These enhancements also play a vital role in the anticipated cost, which often increases with the NIJ level.
The first type of material bulletproof vests are commonly made of is UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene). UHMWPE is a thermoplastic polymer with unique properties. The material has a strong physical and mechanical structure and has high chemical inertness. It is self-lubricating and has high abrasion and impact resistance. These properties make it one of the best materials body armor manufacturing.
The UHMWPE fibers used to make ballistic fabric are produced through a process known as gel-spinning, involving the extrusion of a low-concentration solution of UHMWPE to create gel precursor fibers. These fibers are heated to produce a molecular structure with high orientation, which gives UHMWPE its very desirable properties. UHMWPE body armor is often the most expensive for NIJ levels III and IV and will set you back between $300 and $1,000, depending on the level of protection you need. Lower levels (NIJ IIA, II, and IIIA) will cost between $100 and $300.
Kevlar is the other renowned material in the manufacturing of body armor. It is made by taking the chemical solution known as Polyparaphenylene Terephthalamide through a process known as a condensation reaction. Basically, the process converts the solution into long, highly tensile and strong fibers, called polyamides which are then spun to create a soft and flexible material.
This process ensures they are usable as textile fibers, used to weave Kevlar fabrics of different thicknesses. The thicker a Kevlar fabric is, the more protective it is. Kevlar is made of a highly tensile synthetic aramid fiber, offering heat resistance, high strength and the ability to absorb impact.
When hit by a bullet with high velocity and energy, the Kevlar material stretches back instead of disintegrating. This action subdues the bullet and stops it from penetrating through. Kevlar bulletproof vests are quite popular because they are more affordable. UHMWPE vests are more protective than Kevlar vests, but that does not imply Kevlar vests are ineffective. Kevlar vests cost between $150 and $800, depending on their design and level of protection.