Ar 400 Plate
AR400 plate is a medium-hardness wear resistant steel designed for applications requiring a balance of abrasion resistance and toughness.
Its main advantages include:
- Nominal hardness around 400 HBW
- Quenched and tempered martensitic structure
- Good wear and impact resistance balance
- Reliable weldability and fabrication performance
- Description
AR400 plate is a wear-resistant steel (Abrasion Resistant steel) with a nominal hardness of around 400 HBW. It is engineered to provide an excellent balance between abrasion resistance, toughness, and weldability, making it one of the most commonly used wear plate grades in industrial applications.
AR400 is widely used in environments where materials are exposed to moderate to severe wear conditions such as impact, sliding abrasion, and material flow.
1. Chemical Composition of AR400 Plate
AR400 is typically a low-alloy quenched and tempered steel, designed to achieve hardness through controlled heat treatment rather than high carbon content.
| Element | Typical Range | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.20 – 0.28% | Provides hardness and wear resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.70 – 1.60% | Improves toughness and hardenability |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 – 0.70% | Strengthens steel matrix |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.50 – 1.50% | Enhances wear and corrosion resistance |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0 – 1.00% | Improves toughness and impact resistance |
| Boron (B) | trace | Increases hardenability efficiency |
Key point:
AR400 achieves hardness mainly through quenching and tempering, not high carbon content, which helps maintain toughness.
2. Hardness and Mechanical Properties
AR400 plate is defined by its hardness level:
- Hardness: 360 – 440 HBW (approx. 400 HB nominal)
- Tensile Strength: ~1000 – 1400 MPa (varies by manufacturer)
- Good impact resistance
- Moderate formability and weldability
Performance balance:
- Hard enough for abrasion resistance
- Tough enough to resist cracking under impact
3. Microstructure Characteristics
AR400 steel typically has a quenched and tempered martensitic structure, which provides:
- High surface hardness
- Uniform wear resistance through thickness
- Controlled toughness to prevent brittle failure
This microstructure ensures stable performance in dynamic working conditions.
4. Key Performance Features
1. High Wear Resistance
- Excellent resistance to sliding abrasion
- Suitable for continuous material flow environments
2. Good Impact Resistance
- Designed to withstand moderate impact loads
- Prevents cracking under shock conditions
3. Balanced Weldability
- Can be welded with proper procedures
- Requires preheating in thick sections
4. Long Service Life
- Extends equipment lifespan
- Reduces maintenance and downtime costs
5. Common Applications of AR400 Plate
AR400 wear plate is widely used in:
- Mining equipment and dump truck bodies
- Excavator buckets and liners
- Cement plant chutes and hoppers
- Coal handling systems
- Agricultural machinery wear parts
- Construction equipment liners
- Material handling and conveyor systems
