Steel AR500 vs Hardox 400
Steel · grade comparison
Steel AR500 and Hardox 400 are both steel grades, both wear resistant steel. AR500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) for Hardox 400, about 35% more; tensile strength follows at 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 1,250 MPa (181 ksi). In exchange, Hardox 400 is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 9% for AR500, and AR500 is harder (500 HB vs 400 HB). AR500 conducts heat better (40 W/m·K vs 34 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Hardox 400 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended), Hardox 400 welds better (good vs fair), and Hardox 400 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AR500 (high, $$$$).
AR500Choose it when strength drives the design.
Hardox 400Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
AR500 vs Hardox 400: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 250°C482 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Polishability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | AR500 | Hardox 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Q&T | Q&T |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
AR500 vs Hardox 400 — frequently asked
Is AR500 stronger than Hardox 400?
Yes. AR500 has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) for Hardox 400 — about 35% more. Tensile strength is 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 1,250 MPa (181 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AR500 or Hardox 400?
Hardox 400 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AR500 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, AR500 or Hardox 400?
Hardox 400. Its machinability rates poor (25/100) against not recommended (12/100) for AR500; for welding the order is Hardox 400 first (good, 60/100) then AR500 (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AR500 and Hardox 400 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.