Steel AR400 · grade
Steel AR400F
Properties of the AR400F condition, compared with the other AR400 tempers.
Choose when the wear part must be cold-formed to tighter radii or must survive impact and sub-zero service (guaranteed Charpy, often at −40 °C).
What is AR400F?
AR400F is AR400 in the AR400F grade — choose when the wear part must be cold-formed to tighter radii or must survive impact and sub-zero service (guaranteed Charpy, often at −40 °C). AR400F has a yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). AR400F has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Q&T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AR400F is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,100 MPa (160 ksi), better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
AR400F properties
Typical room-temperature values for AR400F — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every AR400 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
AR400F has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
AR400F has a yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
AR400F is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AR400F conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AR400F takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
AR400F's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 96% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (38/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other AR400 tempers and conditions
AR400 is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the AR400 overview.
- Q&TDefaultStandard stocked abrasion-resistant plate — pick for general sliding-wear liners, chutes and bucket wear parts.1,050 MPa yield · 43 HRC
- AR400FChoose when the wear part must be cold-formed to tighter radii or must survive impact and sub-zero service (guaranteed Charpy, often at −40 °C).1,100 MPa yield · 43 HRC
Working with AR400F
Is AR400 easy to machine?
Treat as 40+ HRC steel: rigid setup, negative-rake carbide or CBN, low speed with heavy feed; drilling needs cobalt/carbide or better annealed-then-reharden planning — plasma/laser/waterjet cutting is usually cheaper than machining.
Can AR400 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables (E7018/ER70S-6 class, softer than base plate); control preheat 100–200 °C by thickness/CEV, keep interpass below ~250 °C and avoid stress-relief that would temper the wear face.
Can AR400 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend transverse to rolling direction with inside radius ≈4–5 × thickness (tighter on AR400F); avoid punching thick sections and always grind flame-cut edges before bending to prevent edge cracking.
What surface finishes work on AR400?
No anodizing; shot-blast and use zinc-rich primer plus epoxy/polyurethane paint for corrosion protection, or hardfacing overlay to extend wear life on hot spots.
AR400 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Cmill-specific; CEV controls preheat | 0.18 – 0.3 | 0.24 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.7 | 1.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Crhardenability addition | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Nihigher in AR400F for toughness | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Bboron-treated for through-hardening | 5×10⁻⁴ – 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | balance | — |
AR400F — frequently asked
What is AR400F used for?
AR400F is typically used for dump-body and truck-bed liners, excavator and loader bucket liners, chute and hopper liners, crusher wear plate, screen decks and conveyor skirting and transfer-point liners. In short: extreme abrasion resistance.
What is the yield strength of AR400F?
AR400F has a typical yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is AR400F easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 96% of steel grades). Treat as 40+ HRC steel: rigid setup, negative-rake carbide or CBN, low speed with heavy feed; drilling needs cobalt/carbide or better annealed-then-reharden planning — plasma/laser/waterjet cutting is usually cheaper than machining.
Can AR400F be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables (E7018/ER70S-6 class, softer than base plate); control preheat 100–200 °C by thickness/CEV, keep interpass below ~250 °C and avoid stress-relief that would temper the wear face.
What surface finishes work on AR400F?
No anodizing; shot-blast and use zinc-rich primer plus epoxy/polyurethane paint for corrosion protection, or hardfacing overlay to extend wear life on hot spots.
Can AR400F be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend transverse to rolling direction with inside radius ≈4–5 × thickness (tighter on AR400F); avoid punching thick sections and always grind flame-cut edges before bending to prevent edge cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of AR400F?
AR400F is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AR400 Q&T and AR400F?
Q&T is the default condition — standard stocked abrasion-resistant plate — pick for general sliding-wear liners, chutes and bucket wear parts. AR400F: choose when the wear part must be cold-formed to tighter radii or must survive impact and sub-zero service (guaranteed Charpy, often at −40 °C). Yield strength is 1,050 MPa in Q&T versus 1,100 MPa in AR400F.
Can FabDigit make parts in AR400F?
Yes — AR400F is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- GB/T 24186 — Wear-resistant steel plate for construction machinery (NM400) — SAC (2022)
- Abrasion-resistant quenched & tempered plate 400 HB — typical properties and fabrication guide — AR plate mills / service centers (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.