Body Armor Durability

Quality ceramic body armor plates do NOT expire. When stored properly there is nothing about the materials in ceramic armor that will degrade over time. The expiration date or shelf life of ceramic armor is only in reference to the manufacturer’s warranty. This is how manufacturer’s limit their liability and are able to carry large insurance policies to protect themselves.

How does ceramic body armor not expire?

The materials used in quality ceramic body armor are inert and do not degrade over time. The key word here is quality. We highly recommend only buying from reputable armor brands because of the quality materials and processes used. Avoid cheap Chinese made armor as they use inferior materials for the backing and adhesives.

What CAN degrade ceramic body armor?

Physical abuse and improper storage can degrade the effectiveness of ceramic body armor. For example storing the armor in a hot and humid environment over a long time could potentially degrade the adhesives, or dropping the armor on concrete repeatedly over time can cause fractures in the ceramic. This is also why purchasing NIJ certified armor can give you extra peace of mind as it verifies the armor plate can withstand high levels of physical abuse and humid environments and still maintain it’s rated effectiveness.