So the general idea is that armor can give health buffs (or damage resistance) to non-armored parts connected to them, so cannons could not get damage resistance from armor. I think the max buff a part can get should depend on its surface area and how much of it is covered by armor, armor would probably not give to much damage resistance, nothing that could make it too powerful. Overall I think this suggestion would create more interesting uses for armor (cause rn it is mainly used a lot in certain spots while much less in other areas), for example making armored laser walls more viable or allowing for reactors to be protected from behind. The buff would not include pen resistance so armor would still be good for general protection. Destroying the armor would of course take away the buff just like engine rooms.
A spin-off idea, "structural integrity funnelers" that could collect and transport the buff from armor next to it to other places, although I don't think it would be particularly intuitive. It of course would allow you to buff one parts resistance a great amount leading to some very interesting ships. It would also allow people to take greater advantage of big clumps of armor. I'm thinking it would be 1x2 in size and would transfer the buff through the thin side like a wire, but that is just my opinion.
