If your equipment battles constant scraping, impact, or friction—think mining buckets, crusher parts, or dump truck beds—AR400 abrasion resistant steel is your solution. This tough, quenched-and-tempered steel outlasts standard steel by 3–5 times, cutting replacement costs and downtime. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to choose, use, and fabricate AR400 effectively.
1. AR400 Abrasion Resistant Steel Products: Shapes for Every Wear Challenge
AR400 comes in versatile forms to fit high-wear equipment and projects. Picking the right product ensures you get maximum durability without wasting material:
| Product Type | Key Features | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| AR400 abrasion resistant steel plate | Thick (6–100mm), uniform hardness | Mining dump truck liners, excavator bucket floors |
| AR400 steel sheets and cut-to-size plates | Thin (2–6mm), pre-cut to specs | Light-duty chutes, agricultural tool blades |
| AR400 steel strips and slit coils | Narrow (10–150mm width), continuous lengths | Conveyor scrapers, small wear strips |
| Custom-profiled AR400 wear parts | Shaped to equipment (e.g., crusher jaws) | Shredder blades, bulldozer edge protectors |
| Quenched & tempered AR400 bars and flats | Solid, high-strength | Industrial mixer arms, grain elevator components |
Real Example: A recycling plant swapped standard steel shredder blades for custom-profiled AR400 wear parts. Blades that used to break after 2 weeks now last 3 months—saving $8,000 in monthly replacements.
2. Chemical Composition & Microstructure: What Makes AR400 So Tough?
AR400’s abrasion resistance comes from its precise chemistry and heat-treated structure. Let’s break down the science:
Key Chemical Elements
| Element | Content Range | Role in AR400 Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.25–0.35% | Builds hardness (critical for wear resistance) |
| Chromium (Cr) | 1.00–1.50% | Forms hard carbides that block abrasion |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.15–0.25% | Boosts toughness and heat resistance |
| Boron (B) | 0.0005–0.0030% | Improves hardenability (ensures uniform strength through thickness) |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.40–1.80% | Enhances tensile strength and work-hardening |
Microstructure: Quenched & Tempered Martensite
AR400 undergoes a quenched & tempered (Q&T) process:
- Quenching: Heated to 850–900°C, then rapidly cooled in water/oil to form a hard, dense martensite structure.
- Tempering: Reheated to 500–600°C to reduce brittleness while keeping hardness.
The result? A uniform martensitic microstructure with no weak spots. This through-thickness hardness uniformity means even thick AR400 plates wear evenly—unlike cheaper steels that thin out in patches.
3. Mechanical & Physical Properties: Strength You Can Trust
AR400 balances extreme hardness with enough toughness to avoid cracking. Here’s how it compares to standard carbon steel (A36) and lower-grade AR200:
| Property | AR400 Abrasion Resistant Steel | AR200 Steel | Standard A36 Steel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal Brinell Hardness | 360–440 BHN | 180–220 BHN | 110–130 BHN |
| Tensile Strength | 1,000–1,200 MPa | 700–850 MPa | 400–550 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥800 MPa | ≥550 MPa | ≥250 MPa |
| Charpy V-Notch Impact Toughness (-20°C) | ≥27 J | ≥30 J | ≥27 J |
| Fatigue Life (10^6 cycles) | 350–400 MPa | 280–320 MPa | 180–220 MPa |
Standout Traits
- Work-Hardening Behavior: When AR400 is hit or rubbed (e.g., by rocks in a bucket), its surface hardness jumps to 450–500 BHN. This “self-strengthening” makes it more resistant as it’s used.
- Abrasion Resistance: Tests show AR400 resists wear 5x better than A36 steel. For example, AR400 mining dump truck liners handle 5x more loads before needing replacement.
4. Standards, Grades & Certifications: Avoid Counterfeit AR400
Not all “wear steel” meets AR400 specs. Stick to these standards to ensure quality:
| Standard/Grade | Region/Use Case | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM A514 Type AR400 equivalent | USA | Meets hardness (360–440 BHN) and toughness for industrial use |
| AR400F abrasion resistant plate spec | Global | “F” denotes improved formability (for bending tight parts) |
| EN 10029 AR400 wear plate | Europe | Ensures uniform chemistry and through-thickness hardness |
| ISO 4952 AR400 grade designation | Global | Harmonized standard for abrasion-resistant steels worldwide |
| OEM proprietary specs for AR400 | Equipment Makers | Custom tweaks (e.g., extra molybdenum) for brands like Caterpillar or Komatsu |
Pro Tip: Always ask for a Mill Test Report (MTR). It will confirm the steel’s hardness, chemistry, and compliance with your chosen standard—never buy AR400 without one.
5. Key Industrial Applications: Where AR400 Shines
AR400 is a workhorse in industries where wear destroys equipment. Here are its top uses:
- Mining: AR400 mining dump truck liners and excavator bucket wear packages handle rocks, ore, and gravel. A copper mine in Chile reports AR400 liners last 4x longer than standard steel.
- Waste & Recycling: Shredder blades and sorting machine parts use AR400. It resists damage from glass, metal, and plastic without dulling.
- Construction: Bulldozer blades, concrete mixer drums, and asphalt paver plates rely on AR400. It stands up to gravel, sand, and sharp debris.
- Agriculture: AR400 agricultural tillage tools (plows, harrows) cut through hard soil and rocks. Farmers report tools last 2–3 seasons instead of 1.
- Material Handling: AR400 chute & hopper liners for coal, cement, or grain prevent clogging and wear. The smooth, hard surface lets material flow freely.
6. Fabrication, Cutting & Welding: Tips for Success
AR400 is harder than standard steel, so it needs specific fabrication techniques. Follow these guidelines to avoid mistakes:
Cutting AR400
- Plasma Cutting: The best method. Use these speeds for clean cuts:
- 2–6mm plates: 150–200 mm/min
- 6–25mm plates: 80–120 mm/min
- 25–100mm plates: 40–60 mm/min
- Oxy-Fuel Cutting: Works for plates ≥10mm, but preheat to 200–300°C first. This prevents cracking and ensures a smooth edge.
Welding AR400
- Preheat Temperature: Always preheat to 200–300°C (thicker plates need higher heat). Skipping preheat causes cracks.
- Consumables: Use low-hydrogen rods (e.g., AWS E11018-G) or wires (e.g., ER110S-G). These match AR400’s strength and reduce brittleness.
- Post-Weld Stress Relief: Heat the weld area to 550–600°C, hold for 1 hour per 25mm thickness, then cool slowly. This relieves tension and keeps the steel tough.
Cold Bending
AR400 has strict bending limits. For plates ≤10mm, the minimum cold bending radius is 5x the plate thickness (e.g., 50mm radius for 10mm plate). For thicker plates, heat to 300–400°C first to avoid cracking.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective
At Yigu Technology, we recommend AR400 abrasion resistant steel for clients facing extreme wear. We supply cut-to-size AR400 plates and custom-profiled wear parts, tailored to mining and recycling equipment. Our AR400 meets ASTM and ISO standards, with MTRs provided for every order. We also share fabrication guides—like plasma cutting speeds and welding preheat temps—to help clients avoid errors, ensuring their parts last as long as possible.
FAQ
- Can AR400 steel rust?
Yes—AR400 resists wear, not corrosion. For outdoor or wet use (e.g., marine mining), add a zinc coating or paint with a corrosion-resistant industrial primer. This extends its life by 2–3 years. - Is AR400 too brittle for impact?
No—its quenched & tempered structure balances hardness with toughness. AR400 handles moderate impacts (e.g., rocks hitting a bucket) but avoid extreme impacts (e.g., sledgehammer blows), which can cause cracking. - When should I choose AR400 over AR200?
Choose AR400 for extreme wear (e.g., shredders, mining buckets). Choose AR200 for lighter wear (e.g., agricultural chutes) or parts that need more flexibility (e.g., curved liners). AR400 lasts longer but is less formable.
