Ceradyne#IMP/ACT

{{Infobox company

| name = Ceradyne Inc.

| logo =

| type = Public

| genre =

| foundation = {{Start date|1967}}

| founder =

| location_city = 3M headquarters, St. Paul, Minnesota

| location_country = United States

| location =

| locations =

| area_served = Worldwide

| key_people =

| industry = Industrial Equipment & Components

| products =

| services =

| revenue =

| operating_income =

| net_income =

| assets =

| equity =

| owner =

| num_employees =

| parent =

| divisions = Advanced Ceramic Operations
Ceradyne Armor Systems, Inc.
Ceradyne Boron Products LLC
Ceradyne Canada ULC
ESK Ceramics
Minco, Inc.
Thermo Materials
Tianjin Technical Ceramics
SemEquip, Inc.
Semicon Associates
Vehicle Armor Systems{{cite web|url=http://www.ceradyne.com/about/ceradyne-inc-overview.aspx|title=About Ceradyne, Inc.|publisher=Ceradyne, Inc.|access-date=2009-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413000122/http://www.ceradyne.com/about/ceradyne-inc-overview.aspx|archive-date=2009-04-13|url-status=dead}}

| subsid =

| homepage = [http://www.ceradyne.com www.ceradyne.com]

| footnotes =

| intl =

}}

Ceradyne, Incorporated is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British company, Avon Rubber. Ceradyne, Inc. is a manufacturer of advanced ceramic systems and components and involved in many technical industries including nuclear power, oil and gas, solar energy, automotive, and defense.{{cite web|title=Official 3M Ceradyne page|url=http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Energy-Advanced/Materials/Brands/Ceradyne/|website=3M's Ceradyne site|publisher=3M Advanced Materials|access-date=2014-07-28}}

Background

Ceradyne was founded in 1967{{cite news|url=http://news.3m.com/press-release/company/3m-completes-acquisition-ceradyne|title=3M Completes Acquisition of Ceradyne|date=November 29, 2012|access-date=28 July 2014|publisher=3M|agency=3M}} and in late 2004, the company added new product lines by acquiring ESK Ceramics of Kempten, Germany.{{cite web|url=http://www.ceradyne.com/divisions/ceradyne-inc-overview.aspx|title=Ceradyne Divisions|website=www.ceradyne.com|publisher=Ceradyne, Inc.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729194113/http://www.ceradyne.com/divisions/ceradyne-inc-overview.aspx|archive-date=29 July 2014|access-date=28 July 2014}}

In addition to producing ceramic components for industrial processes such as silicon foundries and ceramic fuel pellets for nuclear reactors, Ceradyne researched and produced varieties of ballistic armour for both personnel and vehicles.{{cite web|url=http://www.ceradyne.com/|title=Ceradyne, Inc. - Advanced Materials Division - 3M United States|website=www.ceradyne.com}} The ceramic armor was lighter than regular steel plate armor facilitating greater mobility. On September 16, 2007, the company was selling 25,000 sets of armor a month to the Pentagon.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/money/ceradyne-armor-company-1846315-year-says|title=Money: A stock caught in the Iraq debate}}
In December 2007, Ceradyne's lightweight armor was approved by the Army for use on military vehicles. Oshkosh Truck produced the first of these armored vehicles using the armor on HEMETT crew cabs.{{cite web|url=http://ocbiz.freedomblogging.com/category/technology/ceradyne/|title=Ceradyne - OC Business News - OCRegister.com|access-date=2008-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507010407/http://ocbiz.freedomblogging.com/category/technology/ceradyne/#|archive-date=2008-05-07|url-status=dead}} Ceradyne was also the producer of ceramic Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (E-SAPI) for the US Army's Interceptor body armor, and the blast-proof components of the Ceradyne BULL MRAP/MMPV vehicle project.
In January 2008, the company also received an order for $9.6 million worth of body armor from UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries Inc.), which provided jobs and job training to inmates in US federal prisons.

On November 28, 2012, Ceradyne, Inc. was fully acquired by 3M becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of 3M.{{cite news |date=2012-11-29 |title=3M Completes Acquisition of Ceradyne |url=https://news.3m.com/2012-11-29-3M-Completes-Acquisition-of-Ceradyne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909121716/https://news.3m.com/2012-11-29-3M-Completes-Acquisition-of-Ceradyne |archive-date=2023-09-09 |access-date=2024-08-24 |publisher=3M |agency=3M}}

On January 2, 2020, Ceradyne, Inc.'s advanced ballistic protection business and the Ceradyne brand were acquired by Avon Rubber.{{cite news|title=Avon Rubber Completes Acquisition Of 3M's Ballistic Protection Business|url=https://www.avon-rubber.com/media-centre/press-releases/press-releases1/avon-rubber-completes-acquisition-of-3m-s-ballistic-protection-business/#currentPage=1|access-date=16 October 2020|agency=Avon Rubber|publisher=Avon Rubber|date=January 2, 2020|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017072104/https://www.avon-rubber.com/media-centre/press-releases/press-releases1/avon-rubber-completes-acquisition-of-3m-s-ballistic-protection-business/#currentPage=1|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=3M's military armor business fetches $91 million in sale|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2020/01/02/3ms-military-armor-business-fetches-91-million-in.html|access-date=17 October 2020|publisher=Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal|date=2 January 2020}}

Product recall

In November 2012 thousands of SPEAR Generation III ballistic armor plates manufactured by Ceradyne for issue to United States Special Operations troops were recalled due to "safety defects". An analysis by the Department of Defense discovered the flawed plates. Defects were identified in less than five percent of plates tested according to United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). USSOCOM says "No one has been killed or wounded as a result of the defective body armor".{{cite news| last=Newcomb|first=Alyssa| title=Special Ops Body Armor Recalled After Safety Defects Found| url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/special-ops-body-armor-recalled-safety-defects-found/story?id=17800154#.ULGCpeRwcvn| access-date=2012-11-25 | newspaper=abcnews.go.com| date=2012-11-24}}{{cite news| last=Curtis| first=Rob| title=Body armor used by special ops troops recalled| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/23/special-ops-body-armor-recalled/1723657/| access-date=November 25, 2012| work=USA Today| date=November 24, 2012| quote=the SPEAR Generation III armor plates, as they're known, 'display a latent delamination defect,' }}

IMP/ACT

The following table{{cite web |title=Ceradyne Armor Brochure |url=http://ceradyne.com:80/Uploads/Ceradyne_ARMOR_Brochure.pdf |website=Ceradyne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204070056/http://ceradyne.com/Uploads/Ceradyne_ARMOR_Brochure.pdf |access-date=6 April 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2007 |url-status=live }} displays the capabilities of Ceradyne's IMP/ACT (Improved Multihit Protection/Advanced Composite Technology){{cite web |title=CERADYNE INC - 10-K Annual Report - 12/31/2002 |url=http://www.getfilings.com/o0001017062-03-000703.html |website=getfilings.com |access-date=12 June 2020}} series of plates. IMP/ACT plates use a stainless steel crack arrestor{{cite web |title=Questions Surround SOF Body Armor Recall |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2012/11/24/socom-recalls-thousands-of-spear-ballistic-armor-plates/ |website=Military.com |date=24 November 2012 |access-date=12 June 2020}} embedded between the strike face and backer to contain cracking to the immediate site of a bullet impact;{{cite web |title=STATEMENT BY GENERAL PAUL J. KERN COMMANDING GENERAL U.S. ARMY MATERIEL COMMAND BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGING THREATS AND CAPABILITIES UNITED STATES SENATE SESSION, 108TH CONGRESS ON THE DEFENSE LABORATORIES AND S&T OVERVIEW UNITED STATES ARMY MARCH 31, 2003 |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/congress/2003_hr/kern.pdf |website=Global Security |publisher=U.S. Congress |access-date=6 April 2020}} the newest GOST 6A-rated GRANIT (ГРАНИТ) plates currently in service with the Russian Armed Forces use a similar crack arrestor made of titanium.{{cite web |last1=Scarborough |first1=Rowan |title=Tactical advantage: Russian military shows off impressive new gear |url=https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/20/tactical-advantage-russian-military-shows-off-impr/ |website=The Washington Times |access-date=12 June 2020}} This table is intended to exemplify the performance improvements that can be attained through the use of a crack arrestor, which enables a monolithic plate to match the multi-hit performance of non-monolithic models at a significantly lower weight.

class="wikitable"
Bullet !Bullet Construction !Mass^{Note 1} !Velocity !Plate Weight !Multi-hit Spacing !Hits Per Plate (typical)
style="vertical-align: top;" \|5.56×45mm M193 \|Ball, lead core \|{{convert\|55\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3300\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3.7\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|1-2\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|12
style="vertical-align: top;" \|5.56×45mm M855/SS109 \|Ball, steel tip, lead core \|{{convert\|61\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3300\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3.7\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|1-2\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|12
style="vertical-align: top;" \|5.56×45mm M995 \|AP, tungsten carbide core \|{{convert\|52\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3280\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3.9\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|2-3\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|8
style="vertical-align: top;" \|7.62×39mm PS \|Ball, steel core \|{{convert\|122\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|2400\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3.7\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3-4\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|8
style="vertical-align: top;" \|7.62×54mmR LPS \|Ball, steel core \|{{convert\|148\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|2800\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|4.2\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3-4\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|6
style="vertical-align: top;" \|7.62×39mm BZ \|API (armor-piercing incendiary), steel core \|{{convert\|119\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|2400\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|4.2\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}}{{cite web \|title=Multi Hit III++ Hard Armor Plate - MH3HAP-B4C \|url=http://www.paracletearmor.com/Armor/MH3HAPB4C.htm \|website=Paraclete Armor \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050216023818/http://www.paracletearmor.com/Armor/MH3HAPB4C.htm \|access-date=6 April 2020\|archive-date=2005-02-16 }}{{cite web \|title=Miscellaneous gear and equipment \|url=https://beta.sam.gov/opp/ec471e0428cda3712f7e5b960078a737/view \|website=beta.sam.gov \|publisher=U.S. General Services Administration \|access-date=12 June 2020}} \|{{convert\|3-4\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|6
style="vertical-align: top;" \|7.62×51mm M80 \|Ball, lead core \|{{convert\|149\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|2850\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3.7\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|4-5\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|6
style="vertical-align: top;" \|7.62×51mm M61 \|AP, steel core \|{{convert\|151\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|2850\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|4.9\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3-4\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|4
style="vertical-align: top;" \|.30-06 Springfield M2 AP \|AP, steel core \|{{convert\|166\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|2850\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|5.2\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3-4\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|3
style="vertical-align: top;" \|7.62×51mm M993 \|AP, tungsten carbide core \|{{convert\|127\|gr\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|3120\|ft/s\|m/s\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|5.8\|lbs\|kg\|adj=on}} \|{{convert\|5-6\|in\|cm\|adj=on}} \|3

class="wikitable"

Bullet

!Bullet Construction

!Mass^{Note 1}

!Velocity

!Plate Weight

!Multi-hit Spacing

!Hits Per Plate (typical)

style="vertical-align: top;"

|5.56×45mm M193

|Ball, lead core

|{{convert|55|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3300|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3.7|lbs|kg|adj=on}}

|{{convert|1-2|in|cm|adj=on}}

|12

style="vertical-align: top;"

|5.56×45mm M855/SS109

|Ball, steel tip, lead core

|{{convert|61|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3300|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3.7|lbs|kg|adj=on}}

|{{convert|1-2|in|cm|adj=on}}

|12

style="vertical-align: top;"

|5.56×45mm M995

|AP, tungsten carbide core

|{{convert|52|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3280|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3.9|lbs|kg|adj=on}}

|{{convert|2-3|in|cm|adj=on}}

style="vertical-align: top;"

|7.62×39mm PS

|Ball, steel core

|{{convert|122|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|2400|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3.7|lbs|kg|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3-4|in|cm|adj=on}}

style="vertical-align: top;"

|7.62×54mmR LPS

|Ball, steel core

|{{convert|148|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|2800|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|4.2|lbs|kg|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3-4|in|cm|adj=on}}

style="vertical-align: top;"

|7.62×39mm BZ

|API (armor-piercing incendiary), steel core

|{{convert|119|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|2400|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|4.2|lbs|kg|adj=on}}{{cite web |title=Multi Hit III++ Hard Armor Plate - MH3HAP-B4C |url=http://www.paracletearmor.com/Armor/MH3HAPB4C.htm |website=Paraclete Armor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050216023818/http://www.paracletearmor.com/Armor/MH3HAPB4C.htm |access-date=6 April 2020|archive-date=2005-02-16 }}{{cite web |title=Miscellaneous gear and equipment |url=https://beta.sam.gov/opp/ec471e0428cda3712f7e5b960078a737/view |website=beta.sam.gov |publisher=U.S. General Services Administration |access-date=12 June 2020}}

|{{convert|3-4|in|cm|adj=on}}

style="vertical-align: top;"

|7.62×51mm M80

|Ball, lead core

|{{convert|149|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|2850|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3.7|lbs|kg|adj=on}}

|{{convert|4-5|in|cm|adj=on}}

style="vertical-align: top;"

|7.62×51mm M61

|AP, steel core

|{{convert|151|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|2850|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|4.9|lbs|kg|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3-4|in|cm|adj=on}}

style="vertical-align: top;"

|.30-06 Springfield M2 AP

|AP, steel core

|{{convert|166|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|2850|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|5.2|lbs|kg|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3-4|in|cm|adj=on}}

style="vertical-align: top;"

|7.62×51mm M993

|AP, tungsten carbide core

|{{convert|127|gr|adj=on}}

|{{convert|3120|ft/s|m/s|adj=on}}

|{{convert|5.8|lbs|kg|adj=on}}

|{{convert|5-6|in|cm|adj=on}}

Note 1: {{convert|0.8|sqft|sqm|adj=on}} size medium, triple curve, complete armor plate weight (including spall cover) required to protect against threat at stated multi-hit spacing when used in conjunction with NIJ IIIA soft armor vest.

References

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/3m-buying-ceradyne-for-43-premium-2012-10-01

Category:Companies based in Costa Mesa, California

Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1967

Category:American companies established in 1967

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Category:2012 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Ceramics manufacturers of the United States

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