[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Plate question

Posted: 7/14/2009 12:57:17 PM EDT

I just put together a plate carrier based active shooter rig to have in the trunk of my car, just in case. The plates I used were spares we had in the locker and I'm hoping one of the experts can tell me if they are ok/decent.

One is a Protech poly Level III (marked model 2113F) made in '05.
The other is a Safariland steel level III marked PSA-3-9705 from '99.

Any concerns with those plates and/or particular issues? Would age be an issue with either? I figure something is better than nothing in this case but if there are major issues I'll look into replacements.

Posted: 7/14/2009 1:49:42 PM EDT

[#1]

unless the steel is rusted through, why would there even be an issue with it. use it for your back plate, since everyone
is going to cry 'but it does'nt stop 223'

ETA: if you are LEO, then maybe not use the steel one.
don't know about the other one

Posted: 7/14/2009 1:50:14 PM EDT

[#2]

Steel won't stop 55gr M-193 ammo.
HDPE won't stop 62gr M-855 ammo.

HDPE also can degrade if left in heat...so, how was it stored?

Posted: 7/15/2009 3:33:59 AM EDT

[#3]

Its been sitting in a air conditioned locker room. However, it may reside in my trunk in the future. What temperature begins to have a negative effect on the HDPE plates? My entry vest has the same plate and it lives in my trunk too.

Posted: 7/15/2009 8:45:05 AM EDT

[#4]

somewhere around 160-170 degrees F, the HDPE starts to have issues, and from everything I've learned, it's a permanent change, not temporary until they cool off. Thus, in a trunk in Arizona during the summer is bad juju for HDPE stuff. Not sure about Florida.

Posted: 7/15/2009 10:42:11 AM EDT

[#5]

Ok, thanks. I'm not sure how hot it gets in the trunk here (now I'm curious). I would be surprised if its quite that hot but 120-130 is probably likely. I'll have to get a thermometer and check it out. Most of our days are in the mid 90s.

How much degradation is there with the heat? Is it a complete failure or just a small reduction in capability?

Posted: 7/15/2009 11:45:39 AM EDT

[#6]

To be honest, I can't say how much degradation there is. However one of the words I've heard used is "compromised"...meaning if my plate were in a trunk that had reached those temps, I wouldn't use it. But that's just me.

Posted: 7/15/2009 1:35:41 PM EDT

[#7]

Lots of departments keep their issue HDPE plates in their trunks with their vests. I have found my trunk gets nowhere near as hot as the inside of my car does. That being said there are only certain days a year the inside of my car gets hot enough to cause the velcro to run off. I would think that is about 170deg. However, the velcro roll I keep in my trunk is fine. I have a digital thermometer that I will put in when it gets hot again.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Plate question

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Plate question

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Plate question