Currently 106 vacancies
106 vacancies
ende
Explanation of terms - Glossary from A to Z

Ballistic Protection Classes: Why protection classes are crucial

Whether for personal protection, military deployment planning or equipping special forces, the requirements for ballistic protection systems are diverse. But when does a vest or plate provide reliable protection? What threats need to be defended against? And what distinguishes a helmet that complies with NIJ IIIA from one that complies with STANAG Level 4?

Ballistic protection classes provide clarity. They define the ammunition, energy, and scenario that a protection system must withstand. Various standards are used worldwide, from NIJ (USA) and VPAM (Europe) to STANAG (NATO) and the Technical Guidelines (TR) of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI).

Each of these classes requires the right material. This is exactly where Schunk Technical Ceramics comes in: with high-performance ceramic materials that are specifically tailored to the respective protection requirements. Whether SafeGuard GD, B4C or IntrinSiC® – the protection class determines the material.

Global Protection standards

International standards

Ballistic protection systems must withstand a wide variety of threat scenarios – from handguns to armor-piercing ammunition. Various standard systems have been established worldwide to make these hazards measurable and comparable. Each standard defines specific test conditions, caliber types, number of hits, and residual energy values.

NIJ (USA)

The NIJ standard is one of the world's best-known standards. It ranges from:

  • NIJ IIA (low protection level, e.g., against 9 mm)
  • to NIJ IV, which requires protection against armor-piercing rifle ammunition (e.g., .30-06 AP).
     

TR protection classes (Germany)

The Federal Ministry of the Interior defines protection classes from:

  • SK1 (handguns, 9 mm)
  • to SK4, which offers protection against armor-piercing ammunition comparable to NIJ IV.
     

VPAM (Europe)

The European testing standard with a high level of detail, especially for vehicles and ballistic equipment:

  • VPAM 1–14: scalable depending on the threat
  • e.g. VPAM 6 ≈ SK3 / NIJ III
     

STANAG 4569 (NATO)

Primarily for military vehicles:

  • Levels 1–6
  • Takes into account not only calibers but also fragments, mine loads, and shock waves

Typical caliber classification according to protection classes

 

  • NIJ IIIA: .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum
  • NIJ III / VPAM 6 / SK3: 7.62 x 51 mm NATO (full jacket)
  • NIJ IV / VPAM 9 / SK4: 7.62 x 63 mm AP (.30-06 armor-piercing)
  • STANAG 5–6: large-caliber armor-piercing ammunition + explosive fragments
Hard ballistics and ceramics

material meets standard

The higher the protection class, the greater the demands on the material used. From approximately NIJ III / VPAM 6 / SK3 onwards, soft ballistics are no longer sufficient. Hard ballistic components made of technical ceramics are indispensable for stopping large-caliber or armor-piercing projectiles.

Ceramics such as RBSiC or B4C are characterized by their enormous hardness and energy absorption capacity. Upon impact, they fragment the projectile and distribute the kinetic energy to subsequent materials – so-called backing layers made of aramid or PE.

Schunk's material solutions:

  • SafeGuard GD (RBSiC): reliable for medium protection classes (e.g., SK3, NIJ III)
  • SafeGuard B4C (RBB4C): extremely light and hard – ideal for NIJ IV, VPAM 9, STANAG level
  • IntrinSiC®: 3D-printed special components for modular systems and complex geometries
     

From protection class NIJ III onwards, ceramic materials are indispensable – they enable the highest level of protection combined with low weight.

Why Schunk?

Schunk ceramics in the context of protection classes

Material microstructure of the technical properties and surface structure of CarSIK-G & CarSIK-Z.

SafeGuard GD – RBSiC for medium classes

  • NIJ III / VPAM 6–7 / SK3
  • Hardness: 25,000 MPa
  • Density: 3.10 g/cm
  • Robust solution for vehicle and body protection systems
Learn more
Material microstructure of the technical properties and surface structure of CarSIK-B4C

SafeGuard B4C – Boron carbide for maximum protection

  • NIJ IV / VPAM 8–9 / SK4 / STANAG 5–6

  • Hardness: 29,000 MPa

  • Density: 2.85 g/cm

  • Ideal for special forces and aviation systems

Learn more
Material microstructure of the technical properties and surface structure of IntrinSiC

IntrinSiC® – Geometric freedom thanks to 3D printing

  • Suitable for all standard classes

  • Custom helmet plates, vehicle parts, modular inserts

  • Particularly suitable for precise protection integration

Learn more

Protection class & material recommendation

  • NIJ III / SK3 / VPAM 6: SafeGuard GD
  • NIJ IV / SK4 / VPAM 8–9 / STANAG 5–6: SafeGuard B4C
  • Modular geometries: IntrinSiC® / B4C-3D

Comparison: Protection classes & Schunk ceramics

Medium protection class (e.g. SK3)
  • Standard systems: NIJ III / VPAM 6–7
  • Recommended material: SafeGuard GD (RBSiC)
  • Density: 3.10 g/cm³
  • Hardness: 25,000 MPa
  • Special feature: Robust series solution
High protection class (e.g. SK4)
  • Standard systems: NIJ IV / VPAM 8–9
  • Recommended material: SafeGuard B4C (RBB4C)
  • Density: 2.85 g/cm³
  • Hardness: 29,000 MPa
  • Special feature: Ultra-lightweight, maximum protection
Protection class Special/Modular
  • Standard systems: all standard systems
  • Recommended material: IntrinSiC® / B4C (3D)
  • Density: 2.88–3.05 g/cm³
  • Hardness: up to 29,000 MPa
  • Special feature: geometric freedom, integration possible
Focus Application areas

Practical areas of application & focus on public authorities

Military

  • STANAG Level 3–6
  • Vehicle integration, infantry protection, modular systems
  • Requirements for splinter protection & weight – boron carbide is ideal
     

Police & law enforcement

  • VPAM 6–9 / SK3–4
  • Body armor, helmet inserts, emergency vehicles
  • RBSiC or combined ceramics as a modular solution
     

Civil defense & security services

  • Diplomatic protection, VIP protection, property protection
  • Geometrically adapted IntrinSiC® components
Class & Material

Protection class determines material

Ballistic protection classes are much more than technical definitions – they form the basis for the targeted protection of human life. From the police to the army, from vehicles to personal protective equipment, the respective class determines the materials used.

With SafeGuard GD, SafeGuard B4C, and IntrinSiC®, Schunk Technical Ceramics supplies the right ceramic material for every class—robust, lightweight, and reliable. Whether standards such as NIJ, VPAM, SK, or STANAG apply, the right ceramic takes protection to a new level.

Back to glossary
CompanyBusiness UnitsIndustriesCareerNews & EventsMediaContactSchunk Blog

Schunk Websites

General contact

Schunk GmbH 
Phone: +49 641 608 - 0 

ImprintData-protection guidelinesLegal noticesSupplier Code of ConductCode of ConductCorporate policyOmbudsman
© Schunk Group 2025