The Mosaic Ceramic Armor Pattern
If performance is the most important aspect of your armor purchase, then you have come to the right place.
What makes us different than the "rest" of the group? We use individual pieces of hand-laid tile that autonomously act as mini-armor systems. These are called ceramic tile arrays or mosaics. The mosaic system enhances multiple-hit performance and is a much different system that the "other guys" and their single piece, monolithic, lower purity ceramic tiles.
Our mosaic ceramic patterns are also referred to as tile "arrays." This ceramic is created from 2" (50mm) square tiles with some specialty shapes along the edges used to assemble custom designs. There are numerous advantages to mosaic style armor. Proper use of the ceramic mosaic results in unmatched multi-hit ballistic performance. Just compare our test reports to others before you purchase.
Research has identified the mosaic style as being superior to monolithic armor for multi-hit resistance, especially with powerful, high-energy projectiles like .30 M2 AP or M80A1. The predetermined ceramic tile boundaries between tiles are an important design feature that limits collateral tile damage and maximizes multiple hit protection. The ceramic armor mosaic pattern offers a pre-designed break line and avenue for ballistic energy absorption and dissipation through a well-designed adhesive layer.
Our own research, field testing and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) accredited lab testing clearly shows an increase in multiple-hit protection when mosaic ceramic patterns are used. Here are two of our most recent lab reports resisting six shots (each) of .30 M2AP.
Model 1023 Ballistic Test Report
Model 1969 12mm PE Ballistic Test Report
Although one may exist, I am not aware of other professional monolithic plate ballistic test report that routinely documents this type of performance.
Our ceramic mosaic tile arrays are made from aluminum oxide (alumina) and sintered silicon carbide (SSiC). Each material has its strengths and weaknesses. We do not use 100% boron carbide due to its cost, brittleness and diminished capacity to resist some projectiles exceeding 3000 fps without being mixed with other materials.
Alumina is more dense than SSiC and is more difficult to damage from blunt force trauma. Alumina is the least expensive of all ballistic ceramic types. Although alumina is effective, it is also heavier than SSiC and more prone to penetrations from tungsten rounds.
Our SSiC mosaic tile arrays are technically "harder" than alumina and can stop high velocity rounds with less mass (armor weight is lighter). SSiC is more brittle than alumina which can result in more adjacent tile damage if the array is not assembled correctly. SSiC is more expensive, but also significantly lighter than alumina.
Buyers should also be aware that social media "testers" that demo armor are often allied with manufacturers offering them affiliate links and other benefits to promote monolithic armor. It is interesting to see these social media channels "test" mosaic style armor for a paid fee, and while noting the excellent performance characteristics - they revert back to their original monolithic "go to list" that is tied up with compensation. Not all do - but, it happens frequently.
Remember to compare ballistic test reports from NIJ labs if you really want to understand performance differences. In those reports, you will certainly see multi-hit performance benefits with properly built mosaic armor plates. For single-shot performance, monolithics will generally outperform mosaics.
An objective look
There are some disadvantages to mosaic armor. Most of these revolve around thickness and weight as compared to monolithic designs. Due to the smaller autonomous plate (50mm or 2"), the backing material must be more substantial. Monolithic designs will also have very good, first shot backface deformation, while the arrays will generally outperform from a multi-hit standpoint.
If you are seeking single-shot protection then a monolithic plate is the most appropriate choice for you. A monolithic armor is a uniform single ceramic piece, without seam lines for shot 1. After the initial shot, ballistic shock waves will crack the monolithic armor over a much wider area (versus mosaic tile arrays). This creates unpredictable cracking and opening up of vulnerabilities in the armor. The general rule is that for one-shot protection, go with a monolithic. For multiple shot protection, the ceramic tile array generally performs better and is capable of resisting closer shot spacing than the monolithic plate.
Both armor types are usable and effective, if built to address vulnerabilities.