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NIJ Level III / IV Armor Plates – Certified Bullet-Resistant Protection for Tactical and Security Use

If your project involves personal protection, military gear, or tactical vehicle up-armoring, NIJ Level III and Level IV Armor Plates are the globally recognized standards for body armor and lightweight ballistic panels.

At Hindustan Steel Corporation, we supply NIJ Level III and IV ballistic steel plates, tailored for body armor manufacturers, police procurement teams, security agencies, and defense contractors.

We offer bulk supply, cut-to-size manufacturing, and export-ready delivery for high-threat level armor plate requirements.

Table of Contents

What is NIJ Level III / IV Armor Plate?

NIJ (National Institute of Justice) is the U.S. standard-setting authority for ballistic resistance levels for personal body armor.

Key NIJ Levels for Armor Plates:

NIJ Level Protection Capability
Level III (NIJ 0101.06) Stops 7.62×51mm NATO (M80) ball rounds
Level IV (NIJ 0101.06) Stops .30 caliber armor-piercing (AP) rounds (M2 AP)

Core Features of NIJ Level III / IV Plates from Hindustan Steel Corporation:

  • Multi-hit ballistic protection (tested as per NIJ protocols)
  • Hard steel construction (typically quenched and tempered high-hardness armor steel)
  • Available in standard SAPI (Small Arms Protective Insert) shapes or custom vehicle panel sizes
  • Designed for use in body armor carriers, riot control shields, or vehicle cabin walls

If you’re searching for “Level 4 body armor steel plates” or “NIJ Level III hard armor plate suppliers in India,” you’re in the right place.

Applications Across Industries

Where are NIJ Level III / IV plates used?

Common real-world use cases include:

  • Personal Body Armor for Military and Police Personnel
  • SWAT and Special Forces Tactical Vests
  • Bulletproof Shields for Law Enforcement
  • Vehicle Cabin Paneling for VIP Transport or Tactical Vehicles
  • Ballistic Test Targets for Research Labs
  • Perimeter Defense Panels in Riot Control Vehicles

Many OEM armor manufacturers, body armor companies, and security agencies source NIJ Level III/IV plates from Hindustan Steel Corporation for both domestic tenders and international defense contracts.

Mechanical Properties & Grade Performance

Typical mechanical and ballistic performance of NIJ Level III / IV armor plates:

Property Typical Range
Yield Strength 1000 – 1300 MPa
Tensile Strength 1200 – 1600 MPa
Hardness 500 BHN or higher for Level IV (High Hardness Armor Steel)
Ballistic Rating Certified as per NIJ 0101.06 standards for Level III / IV
Multi-hit Capability Tested for repeated projectile resistance
Thickness 6 mm to 12 mm for Level III, 10 mm to 20 mm for Level IV, depending on design

Important Note: Actual performance may vary depending on plate thickness, heat treatment, and client-specific ballistic testing protocols.

Technical Standards & Equivalent Grades

NIJ Level III and Level IV armor plates follow the testing and performance standards defined by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), USA.

Key Technical Details:

Standard Description
NIJ 0101.06 Level III Tested to stop 7.62×51mm M80 NATO ball rounds
NIJ 0101.06 Level IV Tested to stop .30 caliber M2 armor-piercing rounds
MIL-DTL-46100 / MIL-DTL-12560 US military armor plate standards (often used as base material for NIJ plates)
EN 1522 FB6 / FB7 European architectural ballistic standards (for reference only)
STANAG 4569 Levels 2–4 NATO vehicle protection levels (used for comparison by some OEMs)

Pro Tip: Although NIJ standards are U.S.-based, many Indian and international defense projects reference them for body armor and light tactical vehicle panel requirements.

Thickness Range & Plate Sizes

At Hindustan Steel Corporation, we supply NIJ Level III / IV plates in various sizes and thicknesses suitable for body armor production, shield manufacturing, and vehicle cabin retrofitting.

Parameter Range
Thickness 6 mm to 12 mm (Level III) and 10 mm to 20 mm (Level IV)
Width Up to 1500 mm (for flat panels)
Length Up to 3000 mm
Custom Cuts Yes (including SAPI cut, multi-curve plates, and vehicle panel formats)

We can also supply blank sheets for OEMs who wish to cut and assemble plates in-house.

Heat Treatment & Toughness

NIJ Level III / IV steel plates are supplied in a precisely controlled quenched and tempered condition, ensuring:

  1. High surface hardness (around 500 BHN for Level IV)
  2. Controlled microstructure for crack resistance under ballistic impact
  3. Good ductility for absorbing impact energy
  4. Multi-hit capability for enhanced survivability

Our production processes follow tight heat treatment control to ensure uniform hardness and mechanical performance across all supplied batches.

Machining & Fabrication Advice

Due to their high hardness and ballistic properties, NIJ Level III and IV armor plates require specialized fabrication techniques.

Fabrication Guidelines:

Cutting:

  • Waterjet or plasma cutting recommended for maintaining edge integrity
  • For thin plates, laser cutting is also suitable

Drilling:

  • Use carbide or cobalt drill bits
  • Apply coolant flooding during operation

Welding:

  • Not typically recommended for finished armor plates, especially for body armor applications
  • For vehicle panels: Preheating and controlled welding are required with low-hydrogen electrodes

Forming/Bending:

  • Cold forming possible for thinner plates
  • For thicker plates, hot forming or precision machining is recommended

Many of our OEM clients prefer to order pre-cut, pre-profiled armor panels to avoid in-house fabrication challenges.

Why Buy from Hindustan Steel Corporation?

 Bulk Supply of NIJ Level III / IV Certified Armor Steel Plates
Custom Cutting for Body Armor Manufacturers and OEMs
Quick Dispatch for Urgent Security Projects
Export-Ready Packaging with NIJ Certification Support
Technical Consultation on Grade, Thickness, and Application Fitment
Competitive Pricing for Indian and Global Buyers
Experience Supplying to Defense Contractors, Tactical Gear Manufacturers, and Police Procurement Divisions

Our plates have been used in body armor programs, ballistic shields, and tactical vehicle up-armoring projects across multiple regions.

Popular Variants / Related Grades

Buyers looking for NIJ Level III / IV Armor Plates also inquire about:

  • MIL-DTL-46100 High Hardness Armor Plates
  • STANAG 4569 Armor Steel Plates
  • EN 1522 FB6 / FB7 Bulletproof Steel
  • MIL-DTL-12560 RHA Armor Plates
  • HIND ARMOR 500 / HSC 500T Custom Plates

For help selecting the right grade or level for your project, contact our technical sales team today.

Export Destinations & Packaging

Hindustan Steel Corporation supplies NIJ Level III / IV Armor Plates to defense and security clients in both domestic and international markets.

Major Export Destinations Include:

  • United States – Body armor OEMs and testing labs
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Tactical gear distributors and vehicle up-armoring companies
  • Saudi Arabia – Security forces and defense procurement agencies
  • South Africa – Riot control and police procurement
  • Indonesia and Malaysia – Defense contractors and OEM fabricators
  • Germany and UK – Ballistic test labs and law enforcement suppliers

Export Packaging Details:

Seaworthy wooden crates or palletized loads
Rust-preventive coating (VCI wrapping)
Edge protection using foam and plastic film
Detailed labeling (Size, Thickness, Heat Number, Grade, Customer PO Reference)
Export documentation: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, MTC, and NIJ Compliance Declaration (if requested)

We also support air-freight packing for urgent international defense projects.

Buyer Guide / Selection Tip

Before placing your order for NIJ Level III / IV Armor Plates, consider the following:

What NIJ level do you require?

  • Level III: Stops 7.62x51mm M80 ball rounds
  • Level IV: Stops .30 caliber armor-piercing rounds (M2 AP)

What is the intended application?

  • Body armor vests?
  • Ballistic shields?
  • Vehicle panels?

Do you need single-hit or multi-hit rated plates?

Is official ballistic testing or NIJ lab certification needed with your order?

What thickness and size formats fit your design?

Pro Tip: Share your application details or technical drawing, and our sales team will suggest the right thickness, grade, and supply format.

Certifications, Approvals & Test Reports

Every NIJ Level III / IV Armor Plate supplied by Hindustan Steel Corporation comes with:

  • Mill Test Certificates (MTC) showing chemical and mechanical properties
  • Ballistic Test Reports (on request and at extra charge)
  • NIJ Compliance Declaration (Non-certified unless third-party testing is ordered)
  • Third-Party Inspection Reports (SGS, Lloyds, BV – available on request)
  • Heat Number Traceability for all supplied plates

For government or defense tenders, we also provide test samples for third-party ballistic testing.

SEO, AEO, Voice Search Optimized FAQs for NIJ Level III / IV Armor Plates

 It stops .30 caliber armor-piercing (AP) rounds, offering higher protection than Level III.

Yes, they are tested for multi-hit resistance, but exact performance depends on plate design and thickness.

Typically ranges between 10 mm to 20 mm, depending on material and design.

Yes, especially for light vehicle cabin paneling, though STANAG or MIL grades may also apply.

Yes, custom shapes and profiles available for OEMs and armor manufacturers.

Full NIJ certification requires third-party ballistic testing. We can provide test reports from accredited labs on request.

Usually around 500 BHN for Level IV, with slightly lower for Level III.

We supply steel-based NIJ-rated plates. Composite or ceramic NIJ plates are supplied by specialty armor OEMs.

For standard thicknesses, typically within 5–7 working days. Custom profiles may need more time.

Yes, we export to USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and more.

Not recommended for body armor plates. For vehicle panels, preheat and low-hydrogen welding processes can be used.

Yes, especially Level III plates for law enforcement riot shields.

Level III for standard rifle threats, Level IV for armor-piercing threats. Selection depends on your threat level and mobility needs.

Simply email, call, or WhatsApp us with your required level, size, quantity, and delivery location.

Call to Action: Request Price + Datasheet

Looking for NIJ Level III or IV Bulletproof Steel Plates for your body armor production, ballistic shield manufacturing, or vehicle armoring project?

Contact Hindustan Steel Corporation now for pricing and delivery schedules.

Ask for:

  • Technical datasheet
  • Ballistic test report sample
  • Stock availability and lead time
  • Custom cut-to-size service

We’re your trusted source for certified armor steel plates in India and globally.

Call Now

+91-22-66159018
+91-9820944724

Email

sales@hindustansteel.com hindustansteel1@gmail.com

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