Computed radiographic imaging of ceramic body armour personal protective equipment

Ceramic body armour personal protective equipment (PPE) plates and inserts could have defects introduced during: (i) manufacturing, (ii) mishandling, and (iii) operational damages due to projectile impacts. The ballistic performance of armour plates degrades due to the presence of damage and, therefore, the required protection cannot be guaranteed. The high cost (manufacturing and raw materials) of ceramic armours has created the expectation of extended service life while maintaining the integrity and performance of PPE plates during the period of service. Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques are required to rapidly and non-destructively determine the suitability of ceramic protective plates for operational deployment. Successful body armor inspection ensures that armour worn by the person is protective.