Polarized hull plating was a defensive armored hull technology used on shuttles and starships. Before the development of deflector shielding, hull polarization was the primary defensive measure for starships against enemy weaponry.
History
In the 22nd century, this technology was used on Earth starships such as the J-class and the Template:ShipClass and on smaller auxiliary vessels such as the shuttlepods. During the months the Enterprise was in the Delphic Expanse, polarization technology on Earth had been improved by 12%. (Star Trek: Enterprise; ENT: "Horizon", "Vanishing Point", "Home")
In the 24th century, starships still occasionally polarized their hull plating, though not typically as a defensive countermeasure. One example was disrupting a tractor beam lock by rotating the frequency of the hull platings electromagnetic field. Ships also sometimes polarized their hull plating to help mask their sensory signature, which worked by interfering with enemy sensor scans. (DS9: "In Purgatory's Shadow"; VOY: "Equinox, Part II")
In 2373, Garak suggested that Worf repolarize their runabout's hull to free them from a Jem'Hadar fighters tractor beam. (DS9: "In Purgatory's Shadow")
In 2375, Tom Paris attempted to polarize the Delta Flyer's hull after it had crash-landed in order to make it easier for the USS Voyager's sensors to find them. (VOY: "Once Upon a Time")
In 2376, Voyager's hull was polarized in order to mask their approach towards the errant USS Equinox. (VOY: "Equinox, Part II")