Key differences between Hardox 400 and Hardox 500 plates

Hardox 400 and Hardox 500 are both wear-resistant steel plates manufactured by SSAB, widely used in industries that require high durability and abrasion resistance. While they share many characteristics, they differ in hardness, application, and overall performance.

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1. Hardness Level

Hardox 400: Has a nominal Brinell hardness of 400 HBW.

Hardox 500: Has a nominal Brinell hardness of 500 HBW, making it harder than Hardox 400.

Impact: The increased hardness of Hardox 500 provides better wear resistance compared to Hardox 400. However, higher hardness may slightly reduce toughness.

2. Toughness and Impact Resistance

Hardox 400: Offers higher toughness and better impact resistance, making it more suitable for applications requiring both wear resistance and structural strength.

Hardox 500: While still tough, it is slightly more brittle than Hardox 400 due to its increased hardness. It is more prone to cracking under extreme impact conditions.

Impact: Hardox 400 is preferred for applications where impact loads are high, whereas Hardox 500 is better suited for environments with continuous abrasive wear.

3. Wear Resistance

Hardox 400: Provides excellent wear resistance, but less than Hardox 500.

Hardox 500: Offers superior wear resistance, extending the service life of components in abrasive environments.

Impact: Hardox 500 is ideal for applications exposed to intense abrasion, such as mining equipment, while Hardox 400 balances wear resistance with structural strength.

4. Machinability and Weldability

Hardox 400: Easier to machine, cut, bend, and weld due to its lower hardness.

Hardox 500: More challenging to machine and weld but still maintains good workability with proper tools and techniques.

Impact: If ease of fabrication is a priority, Hardox 400 is the better choice. Hardox 500 requires specialized equipment and expertise for processing.

5. Typical Applications

Hardox 400:

Dump truck bodies

Mining and construction machinery

Buckets and hoppers

Agricultural equipment

Wear liners

Hardox 500:

Cutting edges and blades

Conveyor system components

Dump truck floors

Heavy-duty mining and quarry equipment

Crusher and hammer mill components

Hardox 400 vs Hardox 500

Conclusion

Choose Hardox 400 if you need a balance between wear resistance, toughness, and ease of processing.

Choose Hardox 500 if your application demands superior wear resistance and can accommodate reduced impact resistance.

Selecting the right grade depends on the specific operating conditions and performance requirements of the application.