AR450 Steel Explained: Properties and Applications
Among abrasion-resistant steels, AR450 has become a popular choice for applications where durability and toughness are critical but extreme hardness is not required. As part of the AR family, AR450 balances strength, wear resistance, and formability, making it a versatile material for industries such as mining, construction, and agriculture.
At Olympic Steel, we supply AR450 plate along with other abrasion-resistant steels like AR400 and AR500. This blog explains what AR450 is, how it differs from other AR grades, and where it delivers the most value in demanding environments.
What Is AR450 Steel?
AR450 is a type of abrasion-resistant steel plate with a nominal hardness of 450 Brinell. It is produced by quenching and tempering carbon alloy steel to achieve both hardness and toughness. This treatment makes AR450 resistant to sliding wear, impact, and abrasion, while still maintaining sufficient ductility for forming and fabrication.
Key attributes of AR450 include:
- Nominal hardness: 450 BHN
- High wear resistance: Better than AR400 while easier to work with than AR500
- Good toughness: Maintains impact resistance under heavy loads
- Fabrication flexibility: Can be cut, welded, and formed with proper procedures
This balance of properties allows AR450 to perform well in high-wear applications without being overly brittle.
How AR450 Compares to Other AR Steels
The AR family includes multiple grades, each with slightly different hardness values and intended applications. AR450 fits squarely in the middle:
| Grade | Nominal Hardness (BHN) | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| AR400 | 400 | Light- to medium-wear parts, buckets, liners |
| AR450 | 450 | Medium- to heavy-wear applications, construction equipment |
| AR500 | 500 | Severe abrasion, mining, and extreme wear liners |
By sitting between AR400 and AR500, AR450 offers a balanced solution: more wear resistance than AR400 but easier to machine and form than AR500.
Applications of AR450 Steel
AR450 is designed for industries where abrasion and impact reduce the lifespan of standard carbon steels. Olympic Steel supplies AR450 plate for applications such as:
- Mining Equipment: Liners, chutes, hoppers, and crushers exposed to constant abrasion.
- Construction Machinery: Buckets, blades, and wear strips that experience both impact and sliding wear.
- Agricultural Implements: Plows, tillage equipment, and components exposed to soil abrasion.
- Material Handling: Conveyors, feeders, and components in high-friction environments.
- Industrial Processing: Equipment in recycling, aggregates, and cement industries.
In these environments, AR450 extends service life and reduces downtime compared to standard steel plate.
Fabricating with AR450 Steel
Because of its high hardness, AR450 requires specific practices for successful fabrication:
- Cutting: Plasma, laser, and waterjet cutting are commonly used. Oxy-fuel cutting is possible but requires proper preheat.
- Welding: Low-hydrogen electrodes and controlled preheat/interpass temperatures help prevent cracking.
- Forming: AR450 can be cold-formed, but bend radii should be larger than for softer steels. Proper equipment is necessary to avoid cracking.
- Machining: Special tooling may be needed due to hardness, but AR450 is machinable with carbide tools.
At Olympic Steel, we provide processing services such as plasma cutting, laser cutting, forming, and kitting, ensuring AR450 plate arrives ready for fabrication.
Benefits of Choosing AR450
Selecting AR450 offers several advantages for OEMs and fabricators:
- Extended wear life: Reduces frequency of part replacement in abrasive environments.
- Balanced performance: Combines resistance and toughness without being overly brittle.
- Cost-effectiveness: Offers a middle ground between AR400 and AR500 in both performance and price.
- Flexibility in design: Provides durability without limiting fabrication options.
These benefits make AR450 a reliable choice for companies seeking durability without sacrificing manufacturability.
Olympic Steel’s AR Plate Solutions
At Olympic Steel, we stock AR450 along with AR400 and AR500 to provide a full range of abrasion-resistant options. Beyond material supply, our services include:
- Precision cutting with plasma, laser, and oxy-fuel equipment
- Forming and bending for OEM-ready parts
- Stretcher leveling for improved flatness
- Kitting and labeling for efficient assembly
By combining material expertise with processing services, we deliver AR450 plate that is not just stocked, but ready to perform.
FAQs: AR450 Steel
How does AR450 compare to AR400 and AR500?
It offers more wear resistance than AR400 but is easier to work with than AR500, making it a balanced option for many applications.
Can AR450 be welded easily?
Yes, with proper preheat and low-hydrogen consumables. Welding procedures must be followed carefully.
What thicknesses are available?
Olympic Steel stocks AR450 in multiple thicknesses and can provide custom cut-to-size blanks.
Is AR450 suitable for impact-heavy environments?
Yes, AR450 combines abrasion resistance with toughness, making it well-suited for impact and sliding wear.
Does Olympic Steel provide processing for AR450?
Yes. We offer cutting, forming, and kitting services so AR450 arrives production-ready.
Final Thoughts
AR450 steel plate delivers the ideal balance of abrasion resistance, toughness, and fabricability. It fills the gap between AR400 and AR500, offering extended service life without excessive brittleness. For industries facing abrasion and impact challenges, AR450 provides a cost-effective, versatile solution.
At Olympic Steel, we supply AR450 plate nationwide, along with AR400, AR500, and other grades of abrasion-resistant steel. Our processing services ensure you receive steel that is cut, leveled, and ready to go. Whether you are building mining equipment, agricultural implements, or construction machinery, Olympic Steel has the products and expertise to support your success.
