What are the differences between GTS products?

Our Level 3+ (RF2) products have two configurations: Standard and Full.

Our Level 4 (RF3) products have three configurations: Standard, Expanded and Full. 

Custom plate builds usually incorporate the customer's configuration and this is discussed thoroughly prior to starting your project.

Below is a pictorial representation of how most ceramic armor is manufactured in the body armor industry.  

Total ceramic coverage on the armor plate and resultant rifle protection varies between the Standard, Expanded and Full layouts.  These options are offered to provide weight savings. Please note that rifle protection only exist where there is ceramic. 

Plate edges on the Standard and Expanded versions are completed with rubber.  Please note that the rubber edge and underlying polyethylene backer offers ballistic resistance at the NIJ 3a level (HG1 and HG2) (handguns).  Ballistic resistance at the RF2 or RF3 levels exist only where there is ceramic.

You may hear some criticism of the rubber edge in steel armor or monolithic plate circles.  This rubber ring has been referred to as a "Chinese ring" or "cheat ring." Many of these same critics are wearing rubber edges plates and do not realize it.

These descriptions are entirely inaccurate and criticism of the construction and layout method (in our opinion) is rarely justified when the customer is fully informed so that the layout is well-known and matches the threat level chosen and appropriate.  For example, many of our law enforcement customers that work in a traffic environment are most often faced with handgun threats.  For this reason, they often choose the Standard plate version that offers level 3a protection along the outside edges of the plate.  Most of the plate (where ceramic is present) is resistant to the rifle threats identified on the ballistic tag.  This configuration saves on weight - and often overall costs. It is important that differences in plate layout are disclosed to the customers so that they are well-informed enough to make their own decisions about the type of protection they need. 

This criticism also comes from monolithic plate manufacturers using the vacuum bag/oven and autoclave manufacturing methods. Their manufacturing methods will not permit a rapid fusing of ceramic and polyethylene materials that are not "Full" configuration shapes.  If there is an edge to the backing plate in their design, it will warp the polethylene under high heat and pressure.  This is why our Standard and Expanded plates are not noticeably different in cost from the Full versions.  We take extra time to build heat resistant edges that can be covered with a strike face plate and manufactured under pressure and heat - just like the Full configuration.

If you want the strongest and widest coverage across the backing plate - order the full coverage or "F" configuration as found in the comparison table below:

• ALL plates are manufactured in compliance with NIJ 0101.06 and 0101.07 standards. Our products are manufactured with proper pressure and heat while using quality components and tooling.

 For additional reading, please see our quick read article about ceramic plate weight - and why "lighter" may not always be "better."  Read it here.