Steel AR500
GB NM500 · also Hardox 500
AR500 is a proprietary through-hardened, low-alloy abrasion-resistant steel plate supplied quenched and tempered to a nominal 500 HB (≈477–534 HB, ~49–52 HRC).
Values for the Q&T condition
AR500 tempers and conditions
AR500 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. Q&T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q&T + stress relieved | Used for flame/plasma-cut or heavily welded parts where distortion and cutting-edge cracking must be reduced; hardness essentially unchanged if held below the tempering temperature. | 1,330 | 1,620 | 10 | 49 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
Q&TDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard stocked condition — through-hardened wear plate for liners, chutes, blades and target plate. | 1,350 | 1,650 | 9 | 50 HRC | — |
Q&T formable / higher-toughness variant | Pick when the 500 HB plate must be press-braked or must survive impact as well as sliding wear. | 1,380 | 1,650 | 11 | 50 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
What is AR500?
AR500 is a proprietary through-hardened, low-alloy abrasion-resistant steel plate supplied quenched and tempered to a nominal 500 HB (≈477–534 HB, ~49–52 HRC). It is chosen for wear liners, chutes, buckets, cutting edges, ripper blades and ballistic/target plate where sliding-abrasion life matters far more than ductility. It is not a structural or pressure grade: forming and machining are difficult, welding needs preheat and low-hydrogen consumables, and any heating above ~250 °C (including careless torch cutting or welding) permanently softens the plate. AR500 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). AR500 has a yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is AR500 used for?
- Mining chute and transfer liners
- Bucket cutting edges and lip protectors
- Ripper and dozer blade wear strips
- Ballistic and shooting-target plate
- Crusher and hopper wear liners
- Screen and grizzly wear bars
- Slurry and ash handling liners
Advantages
- High strength — 1,350 MPa (196 ksi), better than 95% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 9%, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
AR500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for AR500-Q&T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
AR500 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
AR500 has a yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
AR500 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AR500 conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 67% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AR500 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability5
AR500's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. AR500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AR500
Is AR500 easy to machine?
Treat as 50 HRC tool steel: rigid setup, negative-rake carbide or CBN, low speed/heavy feed, flood coolant — drilling and tapping are usually replaced by plasma/laser holes or pre-drilled soft inserts.
Can AR500 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen or austenitic consumables; preheat 100–200 °C by thickness, control interpass ≤250 °C and heat input, and expect a softened HAZ — never place welds in the primary wear path.
Can AR500 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending only with generous radii (about 4–6× thickness, bend axis transverse to rolling direction) and de-burred, crack-free edges; hot forming above ~250 °C destroys the hardness.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to AR500. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair12 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair15 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair45 / 100 |
AR500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cproprietary; brand-to-brand variation | 0.26 – 0.33 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.7 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Smax; low-S for formable variants | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | 0.4 – 1.5 | 0.9 |
| Niused in thicker plate for hardenability/toughness | ≤ 1.5 | 0.4 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Bboron-treated for through-hardening | 5×10⁻⁴ – 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on AR500?
Not anodisable; blast and prime/paint or use thermal-spray/hardfacing overlays for corrosion protection — avoid hot-dip galvanising and electroplating without hydrogen-embrittlement precautions.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel AR500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- NM500
- Trade names
- Hardox 500
How much does AR500 cost?
AR500 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
AR500 — frequently asked
What is AR500 used for?
AR500 is typically used for mining chute and transfer liners, bucket cutting edges and lip protectors, ripper and dozer blade wear strips, ballistic and shooting-target plate, crusher and hopper wear liners and screen and grizzly wear bars. In short: maximum wear life.
What is the yield strength of AR500?
AR500 has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is AR500 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Treat as 50 HRC tool steel: rigid setup, negative-rake carbide or CBN, low speed/heavy feed, flood coolant — drilling and tapping are usually replaced by plasma/laser holes or pre-drilled soft inserts.
Can AR500 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen or austenitic consumables; preheat 100–200 °C by thickness, control interpass ≤250 °C and heat input, and expect a softened HAZ — never place welds in the primary wear path.
What surface finishes work on AR500?
Not anodisable; blast and prime/paint or use thermal-spray/hardfacing overlays for corrosion protection — avoid hot-dip galvanising and electroplating without hydrogen-embrittlement precautions.
Can AR500 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending only with generous radii (about 4–6× thickness, bend axis transverse to rolling direction) and de-burred, crack-free edges; hot forming above ~250 °C destroys the hardness.
What is the maximum service temperature of AR500?
AR500 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 AR500 Q&T and AR500F?
Q&T is the default condition — standard stocked condition — through-hardened wear plate for liners, chutes, blades and target plate. AR500F: pick when the 500 HB plate must be press-braked or must survive impact as well as sliding wear. Yield strength is 1,350 MPa in Q&T versus 1,380 MPa in AR500F.
How much does AR500 cost?
AR500 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in AR500?
Yes — AR500 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
- Abrasion-resistant quenched & tempered plate, 500 HB class (AR500 / NM500 / Hardox 500 class datasheets) — Various plate mills (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)
- ASTM E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals — ASTM (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.