In armor structures ceramics are usually backed by metal plates with or without a composite layer sandwiched between them see fig.
Titanium vs ceramic body armor.
The most common ceramic materials used for armor applications are alumina boron carbide silicon carbide and titanium diboride.
The key to stopping small arms such as pistols or rifles depends not solely on hardness but also the capability of the plate to take multiple hits before it.
I m not sure that wearing around an inch and a quarter thick plate of titanium is an improvement over the thinner steel based on bulkiness but it sure does stop the rounds even a black tip 50bmg which almost made it through.
You ll be surprised at the result.
The video shows conventional steel armor with steel plates being tested using steel core armor penetrating bullets.
This armor is not the one tested in the video but is an example of alloy plates available for armor systems.
The energy dissipation mechanisms for this type of structure are.
To add to jonathan s answer titanium is also exceptionally brittle compared to steel.
Soft vests are made of many layers of woven or laminated fibres and can protect the wearer from small calibre handgun and shotgun projectiles and small.