armorrelevant

Armorrelevant is a term used in discussions of armor technology to denote properties, conditions, and design factors that directly influence the performance of armor systems under ballistic or blast loading. The term is not part of a formal, universally adopted standard; rather it is a descriptive neologism found in technical glossaries, research papers, and industry briefs to distinguish armor-critical aspects from unrelated material characteristics.

It encompasses material properties such as hardness, yield strength, toughness, and ductility; microstructure; layer architecture (hard ceramic faces, metallic backings, polymers); manufacturing quality; and environmental and operational factors (temperature, aging, moisture). It also covers geometric and system-level aspects like thickness, curvature, edge effects, bonding, and the interaction with fasteners and adhesives.

Evaluation of armorrelevant performance relies on ballistic testing, penetration resistance, backface deformation, energy absorption, and weight penalties. Standards such as NIJ or STANAG define test procedures and thresholds, but the term itself remains general; designers use computer simulation, finite element analysis, and material tests to optimize armorrelevant characteristics.

Armorrelevant considerations are used in armor for personal protection, vehicle armor, and protective structures. The phrase emphasizes that not all material properties matter equally; only those that affect actual protection in intended contexts are prioritized.