Steel Hardox 450
GB NM450
Hardox 450 is a quenched and tempered low-alloy abrasion-resistant plate (SSAB proprietary; also designated NM450) with nominal 450 HBW / 47 HRC through-hardness, about 1200 MPa yield, 1400 MPa tensile and 10 % elongation.
Values for the Q&T condition
Hardox 450 tempers and conditions
Hardox 450 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. Q&T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
425–475 HB surface, lower core strength | Pick for heavy wear parts and thick liners where full hardening depth is limited; surface hardness is unchanged but guaranteed yield and impact values are lower. | 1,000 | 1,250 | 10 | 47 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Q&TDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard as-delivered Hardox 450 plate 3.2–70 mm — the condition in which essentially all Hardox 450 is stocked and used. | 1,200 | 1,400 | 10 | 47 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Hardox 450 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Q&T SHEET | Q&T thin sheet / coil | Supply form |
What is Hardox 450?
Hardox 450 is a quenched and tempered low-alloy abrasion-resistant plate (SSAB proprietary; also designated NM450) with nominal 450 HBW / 47 HRC through-hardness, about 1200 MPa yield, 1400 MPa tensile and 10 % elongation. It is chosen where wear life rather than static strength sets part life, and is stocked as plate and sheet in Q&T, thick-plate and sheet conditions for liners, chutes and cutting edges. Machinability is low (score 22) and the maximum service temperature is about 250 °C, above which hardness is lost permanently. Hardox 400 is the softer, more formable and easier-machining alternative. Hardox 450 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). Hardox 450 has a yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) — stronger than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is Hardox 450 used for?
- Mining and hopper liners
- Crusher plates
- Excavator and loader bucket wear plates
- Chute and skirt liners
- Dump body panels
- Grader and cutting edges
- Conveyor wear strips
Advantages
- High strength — 1,200 MPa (174 ksi), better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
Hardox 450 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Hardox 450-Q&T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Hardox 450 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical16
Hardox 450 has a yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) — stronger than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Hardox 450 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 38 W/m·K (22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Hardox 450 conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Hardox 450 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability5
Hardox 450's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. Hardox 450 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Hardox 450
Is Hardox 450 easy to machine?
Treat as 47 HRC material: rigid setups, coated carbide or CBN, low speed/high feed, no interrupted-cut chatter; drilling needs cobalt or carbide and coolant flood.
Can Hardox 450 be welded?
Fully weldable with low-hydrogen consumables of undermatching strength; keep preheat 75–150 °C (thickness dependent), limit heat input and interpass temperature to protect the HAZ, no PWHT.
Can Hardox 450 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bend transverse to rolling direction with inner radius ≥3×t and generous die opening; do not hot-form above ~250 °C or hardness will be lost permanently.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to Hardox 450. Every Hardox 450 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair22 / 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 | Fair35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better55 / 100 |
Hardox 450 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.19 % max for t ≤ 20 mm, up to 0.26 % for heavy plate | ≤ 0.26 | 0.21 |
| Si | ≤ 0.7 | 0.3 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.6 | 1.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cr | ≤ 1.4 | 0.5 |
| Nihigher in heavy gauges | ≤ 1.5 | 0.25 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.6 | 0.2 |
| Bhardenability booster | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Febalance; micro-alloyed and fine-grain treated | balance |
What surface finishes work on Hardox 450?
Shot-blast and prime/paint for any wet or outdoor service; plate takes zinc-rich primers and epoxy well, plating is rarely used and hydrogen embrittlement must be considered.
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 Hardox 450 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does Hardox 450 cost?
Hardox 450 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Hardox 450 — frequently asked
What is Hardox 450 used for?
Hardox 450 is typically used for mining and hopper liners, crusher plates, excavator and loader bucket wear plates, chute and skirt liners, dump body panels and grader and cutting edges. In short: premium abrasion wear plate.
What is the yield strength of Hardox 450?
Hardox 450 has a typical yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) — stronger than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Hardox 450 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades). Treat as 47 HRC material: rigid setups, coated carbide or CBN, low speed/high feed, no interrupted-cut chatter; drilling needs cobalt or carbide and coolant flood.
Can Hardox 450 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Fully weldable with low-hydrogen consumables of undermatching strength; keep preheat 75–150 °C (thickness dependent), limit heat input and interpass temperature to protect the HAZ, no PWHT.
What surface finishes work on Hardox 450?
Shot-blast and prime/paint for any wet or outdoor service; plate takes zinc-rich primers and epoxy well, plating is rarely used and hydrogen embrittlement must be considered.
Can Hardox 450 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bend transverse to rolling direction with inner radius ≥3×t and generous die opening; do not hot-form above ~250 °C or hardness will be lost permanently.
What is the maximum service temperature of Hardox 450?
Hardox 450 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Hardox 450 cost?
Hardox 450 is a standard-cost steel ($$), 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 Hardox 450?
Yes — Hardox 450 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Hardox 450 Data Sheet (abrasion-resistant steel plate) — SSAB (2023)
- Hardox Wearparts / Welding of Hardox and Strenx — SSAB (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 24186 (NM450 comparison) — SAC (2022)
- (Hardox/NM450) — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)
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.