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Steel NM400E

Grade

also Hardox 400

NM400E = q&T with −60 °C Charpy V-notch impact requirement

Special order for extreme low-temperature impact-abrasion duty; requires tighter chemistry and cleanliness.

CNC machiningSheet metalStandard cost $$

Values for the NM400E condition

Other NM400 tempers and conditions

NM400 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at NM400.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
quenched & tempered heavy plate (> 40 mm), lower-bound hardness
Use for thick liners and wear blocks where quench-rate limits give hardness and toughness near the low end of the NM400 band.9801,2001340 HRC8 % IACS
Q&TDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard as-delivered condition of NM400 plate; pick it for general sliding-abrasion wear parts up to ~40 mm thickness.1,0501,2501242 HRC—
Q&T with 0 °C Charpy V-notch impact requirement
Pick when a certified room/0 °C impact value is required in addition to hardness.1,0501,2501242 HRC8 % IACS
Q&T with −20 °C Charpy V-notch impact requirement
Standard cold-climate option for mining and construction wear parts operating below freezing.1,0501,2501242 HRC8 % IACS
Q&T with −40 °C Charpy V-notch impact requirement
For severe cold service (northern China, Siberia-type climates) where impact-sensitive wear structures are welded.1,0501,2501242 HRC8 % IACS
NM400EThis page
Q&T with −60 °C Charpy V-notch impact requirement
Special order for extreme low-temperature impact-abrasion duty; requires tighter chemistry and cleanliness.1,0501,2501342 HRC8 % IACS

What is NM400E?

NM400E is NM400 in the NM400E grade — special order for extreme low-temperature impact-abrasion duty; requires tighter chemistry and cleanliness. NM400E has a yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). NM400E has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Q&T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; NM400E is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,050 MPa (152 ksi), better than 93% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 13%, worse than 78% of steel grades

NM400E properties

Typical room-temperature values for NM400E; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are NM400 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

NM400E has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical16

NM400E has a yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus165 GPa23.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,250 MPa181 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,050 MPa152 ksi
Elongation at Break13%
Reduction in Area45%
Compressive Strength1,100 MPa160 ksi
Shear Strength750 MPa109 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)555 MPa80.5 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)78 MPa·√m71 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)35 J25.8 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell400 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C42 HRC
Hardness, Vickers420 HV

Thermal6

NM400E 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).

Thermal Conductivity40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)250°C482 °F
Min Service Temperature-60°C-76 °F

Electrical3

NM400E conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air, water and dilute acids; must be painted, coated or used in dry/abrasion-dominated duty. Resistant to dry abrasive solids and mineral oils.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of NM400E takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content20%

Manufacturability7

NM400E's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (32/100).

MachinabilityPoor25/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)25%
WeldabilityGood55/100
Formability (cold)Poor32/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor30/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use paint, zinc/hard-chrome plating or thermal spray for surface protection

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with NM400E

Is NM400 easy to machine?

Machine only with rigid setups and carbide/CBN tooling at low speed and positive feed; drilling and tapping are difficult at 400 HBW — prefer plasma/laser/waterjet cutting plus pre-punched holes.

Can NM400 be welded?

Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes or solid wire; preheat ~100–150 °C (higher for thick or restrained joints), keep interpass below ~250 °C, control heat input, and expect a softened HAZ — no PWHT above the tempering temperature.

Can NM400 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold bending possible with the bend axis transverse to rolling direction and inner radius ≥3–4 t; use generous die radii, deburr flame-cut edges first, and avoid hot forming above 250 °C to preserve hardness.

What surface finishes work on NM400?

Shot-blast and paint or epoxy-coat for corrosion protection; hard-chrome or thermal-spray overlays are used for extra wear life; not anodizable.

NM400 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CGB/T 24186 max; mills typically 0.16–0.22 for weldability≤ 0.30.2
Si≤ 0.70.3
Mn≤ 1.71.3
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.010
Crhardenability addition≤ 1.20.5
Niraised in low-temperature impact grades≤ 10.2
Mo≤ 0.650.2
Bboron-treated for through hardening≤ 0.010
Tifixes N for effective boron≤ 0.050.02
Nb≤ 0.070.02
V≤ 0.10.02
Altotal Al, deoxidation≥ 0.020.03
Febalance—

NM400E — frequently asked

What is NM400E used for?

NM400E is typically used for mining bucket and shovel liners, crusher and transfer chutes, dump truck body liners, hopper and bin wear plates, screen and grizzly plates and conveyor skirt and wear strips. In short: workhorse Chinese wear plate.

What is the yield strength of NM400E?

NM400E has a typical yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is NM400E easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades). Machine only with rigid setups and carbide/CBN tooling at low speed and positive feed; drilling and tapping are difficult at 400 HBW — prefer plasma/laser/waterjet cutting plus pre-punched holes.

Can NM400E be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes or solid wire; preheat ~100–150 °C (higher for thick or restrained joints), keep interpass below ~250 °C, control heat input, and expect a softened HAZ — no PWHT above the tempering temperature.

What surface finishes work on NM400E?

Shot-blast and paint or epoxy-coat for corrosion protection; hard-chrome or thermal-spray overlays are used for extra wear life; not anodizable.

Can NM400E be formed, bent or molded?

Cold bending possible with the bend axis transverse to rolling direction and inner radius ≥3–4 t; use generous die radii, deburr flame-cut edges first, and avoid hot forming above 250 °C to preserve hardness.

What is the maximum service temperature of NM400E?

NM400E 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 NM400 Q&T and NM400B?

Q&T is the default condition — standard as-delivered condition of NM400 plate; pick it for general sliding-abrasion wear parts up to ~40 mm thickness. NM400B: pick when a certified room/0 °C impact value is required in addition to hardness. Yield strength is 1,050 MPa in Q&T versus 1,050 MPa in NM400B.

Can FabDigit make parts in NM400E?

Yes — NM400E 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

  1. Wear-resistant steel plate NM400 datasheet and welding guide — Baosteel / Ansteel / HBIS (2023)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  3. 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.