Will a 5.56 NATO Penetrate Alumina Ceramic?

No — stops inside alumina ceramic (reaches 2 mm of a 10 mm barrier)
Penetration depth
2 mm (0.1″)
Impact velocity
920 m/s (3018 fps)
Muzzle energy
1693 J (1249 ft-lb)
Bullet behaviour
Intact

Fired at the muzzle, a representative 5.56 NATO load (4 g, FMJ, 920 m/s) reaches roughly 2 mm (0.1 inches) into alumina ceramic. It loses its energy before defeating a typical barrier of this material.

About Alumina Ceramic

Ceramic strike-face (~10 mm), the front of a rifle armor plate.

5.56 NATO against other materials

MaterialDepth (mm)Depth (in)
Red Brick193 mm7.6″
Concrete175 mm6.9″
Tempered Glass29 mm1.1″
Steel A3614 mm0.6″
Steel AR5008 mm0.3″
Run your own numbers in the calculator →

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