Steel Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK
Heat-treated state
Q+T-THICK = q&T
Same guaranteed surface hardness in thicker plate; expect slightly lower mid-thickness hardness and toughness, and larger minimum bend radii.
Values for the Q+T-THICK condition
Other Hardox 600 tempers and conditions
Hardox 600 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Hardox 600.
- 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 Q&T | Same guaranteed surface hardness in thicker plate; expect slightly lower mid-thickness hardness and toughness, and larger minimum bend radii. | 1,600 | 1,950 | 7 | 56 HRC | 6.4 % IACS |
Q+TDefault Quenched and tempered | The only commercially supplied condition — pick it for the most severe sliding-abrasion wear liners. | 1,650 | 2,000 | 7 | 57 HRC | — |
What is Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK?
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK is Hardox 600 heat treated to Q+T-THICK — same guaranteed surface hardness in thicker plate; expect slightly lower mid-thickness hardness and toughness, and larger minimum bend radii. Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK has a yield strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). Q+T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q+T-THICK is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,600 MPa (232 ksi), better than 98% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 7/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 7%, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 42 MPa·√m (38.2 ksi·√in), worse than 92% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK properties
Typical room-temperature values for Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Hardox 600 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK has a yield strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK has an electrical resistivity of 2.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK's machinability is not recommended (7/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK
Is Hardox 600 easy to machine?
At ~57 HRC treat as hardened tool steel — CBN or coated carbide, rigid setup, low speed/high feed; drilling and tapping are impractical, so use plasma/laser/waterjet holes or pre-drill in a softer backing plate.
Can Hardox 600 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables (preferably soft, undermatching filler) using preheat/interpass ~175–225 °C and controlled heat input; the HAZ always softens, so keep welds off the primary wear surface.
Can Hardox 600 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending is only marginally possible — very large bend radii, bend transverse to rolling direction, and hot forming is not permitted because it destroys the quench-tempered hardness.
What surface finishes work on Hardox 600?
Normally supplied and used as-delivered (shot-blasted/primered); paint or oil for storage, avoid grinding overheating, and never re-heat-treat above ~250 °C service temperature.
Hardox 600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis max | ≤ 0.47 | 0.42 |
| Si | ≤ 0.7 | 0.35 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.7 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.2 | 0.8 |
| Nihigher Ni in thicker gauges for hardenability | ≤ 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.45 |
| Bboron for hardenability | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | balance | — |
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK — frequently asked
What is Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK used for?
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK is typically used for knife edges, extreme wear liners, recycling shredder parts and quarry equipment. In short: hardest standard Hardox grade; maximum sliding-abrasion life; minimal-fabrication wear plate.
What is the yield strength of Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK?
Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK has a typical yield strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (7/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). At ~57 HRC treat as hardened tool steel — CBN or coated carbide, rigid setup, low speed/high feed; drilling and tapping are impractical, so use plasma/laser/waterjet holes or pre-drill in a softer backing plate.
Can Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables (preferably soft, undermatching filler) using preheat/interpass ~175–225 °C and controlled heat input; the HAZ always softens, so keep welds off the primary wear surface.
What surface finishes work on Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK?
Normally supplied and used as-delivered (shot-blasted/primered); paint or oil for storage, avoid grinding overheating, and never re-heat-treat above ~250 °C service temperature.
Can Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending is only marginally possible — very large bend radii, bend transverse to rolling direction, and hot forming is not permitted because it destroys the quench-tempered hardness.
What is the maximum service temperature of Hardox 600 Q+T-THICK?
Hardox 600 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.
Sources
- Hardox 600 Data Sheet & Welding/Bending Guidance — SSAB (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals — ASTM (2019)
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.