Steel Hardox 450 Q&T THICK
Heat-treated state
GB NM450
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.
Values for the Q&T THICK condition
Other Hardox 450 tempers and conditions
Hardox 450 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Hardox 450.
- Q&T THICK
- Q&T
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q&T THICKThis page 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 | — |
What is Hardox 450 Q&T THICK?
Hardox 450 Q&T THICK is Hardox 450 heat treated to Q&T THICK — 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. Hardox 450 Q&T THICK has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). Hardox 450 Q&T THICK 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). Q&T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T THICK is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,000 MPa (145 ksi), better than 92% 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 Q&T THICK properties
Typical room-temperature values for Hardox 450 Q&T THICK; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Hardox 450 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Hardox 450 Q&T THICK 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 Q&T THICK has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Hardox 450 Q&T THICK 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 Q&T THICK 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 Q&T THICK 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 Q&T THICK's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades); weldability fair (48/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Hardox 450 Q&T THICK
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.
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.
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 | — |
Hardox 450 Q&T THICK — frequently asked
What is Hardox 450 Q&T THICK used for?
Hardox 450 Q&T THICK 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 Q&T THICK?
Hardox 450 Q&T THICK has a typical yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Hardox 450 Q&T THICK 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 Q&T THICK be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (48/100). 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 Q&T THICK?
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 Q&T THICK 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 Q&T THICK?
Hardox 450 Q&T THICK 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Hardox 450 Q&T THICK?
Yes — Hardox 450 Q&T THICK 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.