Ceramic armors are made up of ceramic materials like silicon carbide, alumina, and boron carbide. Ceramic armor is very strong, almost 5 times stronger than and yet 70% lighter than steel. Due to its strength, ceramic armor can break the bullet by absorbing the kinetic energy of projectiles. This is the reason why it is an integral part of the ballistic personal system as well as vehicle protection systems.
Along with superior hardness and strength, ceramic armor provides various advantages like resistance to creep and stress rupture, durability, design flexibility, and low weight. Due to such advantages, ceramic armors are widely used in defense and security sectors for protecting individuals and vehicles from oncoming high-velocity projectiles.
The global Ceramic armor market is projected to grow at a high CAGR of 7.8% during 2019 to 2024. The main factor that will push the global market is the increasing military and defense expenditure undertaken by various countries across the world. Military modernization programs initiated by countries have been augmenting the demand for ceramic armors and thus, are propelling the growth of the global ceramic armor market.
For military and law enforcement agencies, protection of defense personnel from the high-velocity impact of bullets and bombs has been a major concern. Ceramic materials, due to their low weight, design flexibility, and high performance during ballistic-scale implications, are the preferred option for this purpose. Manufacturers of ceramic armor are focusing on designing innovative armors with features like sustainability and survivability. Such developments will increase the demand for ceramic armors significantly in the coming years.
Apart from these, factors such as increasing terrorist activities and cross-border disputes will increase the need for advanced protection systems for soldiers and combat vehicles. Increasing security concerns in developing regions and growing demand for homeland security will also exert a positive influence in the growth of the global ceramic armor market.
However, ceramic armors do have some drawbacks. For example, these armors cannot sustain repeated attacks without losing their protective value or strength. But latest advancement in technology has been able to address this issue to a great extent. Further, increasing expenditure on R&D for manufacturing environment-friendly products will provide growth opportunities in the coming years.
Among various regional markets, the North American ceramic armor market is expected to maintain its dominant position in the coming years due to the existence of high demand for these armors from the aerospace & defense industry and also from civilians. Further, increasing military spending by the US governments is also increasing the demand for ceramic armors.
The European and Asia-Pacific region will display remarkable growth in the coming years. Germany in Europe and China, India, South Korea, and Pakistan in the Asia-Pacific region will play a key role in the growth of the global ceramic armor market. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to register impressive growth in the coming years due to factors like increasing border disputes and terrorist activities.
The prominent players operating in the global ceramic armor market include Ceradyne (U.S.), SAAB AB (Sweden), CeramTec (Germany), CoorsTek Inc. (U.S.), ArmorWorks (U.S.), Koninklijke Ten Cate BV (Netherlands), Olbo & Mehler (Germany), M Cubed Technologies (U.S.), Point Blank Enterprises (U.S.), and Safariland LLC (U.S.). New product development and investments in R&D activities are some strategies adopted by these industry players to increase their market presence.
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