AR600 is an ultra-high-hardness abrasion resistant steel plate designed for the most severe wear environments. The numeric designation refers to a target Brinell hardness of approximately 600 HBW, achieved through optimized alloy chemistry combined with controlled quenching and tempering. When wear is the primary failure mode, increasing hardness dramatically reduces volumetric material loss, allowing components either to last much longer at the same thickness or to use thinner, lighter plates.
What Is AR600 Steel Plate
AR600 is a commercial abrasion resistant grade rather than a single standardized designation, and exact chemistry varies by mill and product line. The 600 in the name indicates the target hardness level, and the grade sits above commonly used AR400 and AR500 levels. Because the steel is supplied in the quenched and tempered condition, it combines very high hardness with acceptable flatness and consistency for wear parts. Buyers should always request the mill test report to verify the actual composition and properties of each delivery.
Typical Chemical Composition
Typical composition ranges are carbon 0.40 to 0.47 percent, manganese 0.80 to 1.50 percent, silicon 0.45 percent maximum, phosphorus 0.015 percent maximum, sulfur 0.015 percent maximum, chromium 0.20 to 0.70 percent, molybdenum 0.50 percent maximum, nickel 0.25 percent maximum, and copper 0.25 percent maximum. The carbon equivalent is typically in the range of 0.70 to 0.95. The relatively high carbon equivalent explains both the exceptional hardness and the need for controlled welding procedures.
Typical Mechanical Properties
Typical performance for AR600 plate includes Brinell hardness of 570 to 650 HBW, a 0.2 percent proof strength of 1200 to 1650 MPa, a tensile strength of 1600 to 1820 MPa, and Charpy impact energy of 20 to 40 J at minus 40 degrees C depending on thickness. The density of the steel is 7.85 g/cm3. These properties make AR600 one of the hardest commercially available wear plate grades.
AR600 plate is commonly available in thicknesses from 6 to 60 mm, with some product lines extending to 65 mm. Widths typically reach 2000 to 2200 mm and lengths range from 6000 to 14000 mm. The weight of a plate can be calculated as area in square meters multiplied by thickness in meters and by 7850, giving the weight in kilograms; for example, a 10 mm thick plate weighs approximately 78.5 kg per square meter.
Fabrication and Practical Notes
Cutting can be performed by laser, plasma, oxy-fuel, or waterjet, with higher tool wear expected because of the hardness. Welding requires preheating and low-hydrogen consumables because of the high carbon equivalent, and the welding procedure specification should be strictly followed. Cold forming is limited because of low ductility; large bend radii or hot forming are recommended, and edge impacts and improper stacking should be avoided to reduce the risk of cracking.
Typical Applications
AR600 is selected where extreme wear resistance outweighs fabrication convenience. Typical applications include crusher liners, jaw plates, and mantles, dump truck liners and bodies, chutes, hoppers, and feed bins, conveyor wear liners and screen decks, buckets, cutting edges, and ripper components. In many cases the grade replaces thicker AR500 plates to reduce weight and extend service life in sliding abrasion and impact-abrasion environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AR600 steel plate?
AR600 is an ultra-high-hardness abrasion resistant steel with a typical Brinell hardness of 570 to 650 HBW, produced by quenching and tempering for the most severe wear conditions.
What are the main applications of AR600 steel plate?
It is used in mining liners, rock crushers, chutes, hoppers, dump truck bodies, quarry equipment, and heavy material handling systems where impact and sliding wear are extremely high.
How does AR600 compare with AR500?
AR600 offers significantly higher hardness and longer service life under severe wear, but has lower formability and weldability, making it more suitable for flat or minimally fabricated components.
Can AR600 steel plate be cut or machined?
It can be cut by plasma, laser, oxy-fuel, or waterjet; conventional machining is difficult because of the hardness, so carbide or ceramic tools are recommended, and waterjet cutting is often preferred to avoid heat-affected zones.
What is the typical hardness of AR600?
The typical Brinell hardness range is 570 to 650 HBW, depending on plate thickness and production process; this hardness is the key factor behind its abrasion resistance.
Is AR600 suitable for cold forming or bending?
Cold forming is generally not recommended because the ultra-high hardness and low ductility can lead to cracking; if forming is required, lower-hardness grades should be considered.