Abrasion resistant steel

Abrasion resistant steel is a high-carbon alloy steel that is produced to resist wear and stress. There are several grades of abrasion resistant steel, including AR200, AR235, AR400, AR450, AR500 and AR600.[1]

Quenching & Tempering edit

Abrasion resistant steel undergoes a two-step heat treatment process called quenching and tempering, which alters the steel's grain structure to increase hardness and toughness.[2]

During the quenching phase, the steel is heated to an above-critical temperature and is then rapidly cooled with water. The steel is then re-heated to a below-critical temperature and air cooled, which is the tempering phase.[2]

Brinell Hardness edit

The hardness of abrasion resistant steel is determined by a Brinell hardness test. This test uses a small steel ball to inflict force on a material. The indentation created by the steel ball is then measured and used to calculate Brinell hardness number (BHN).[3]

Average Brinell Hardness Numbers (BHNs) for Abrasion Resistant Steel Grades[4]
Grade BHN
AR200 & AR235 180-260
AR400 360-440
AR450 430-480
AR500 460-544
AR600 570-625

Standards for Brinell hardness testing are regulated by ASTM International under E10 specifications.[5]

Applications edit

Abrasion resistant steel is typically used in applications requiring high wear resistance, including backhoe buckets and teeth, bulldozer blades, dump truck beds, ore and coal chutes, augers and aggregate conveyors.[6] Additional uses include shooting targets and armor, AR500 steel is commonly used for these applications as higher BHN steels are more brittle.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ Leeco Steel. (2021, September 7). What is Abrasion Resistant Steel Plate? Leeco Steel, LLC. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://www.leecosteel.com/news/post/understanding-abrasion-resistant-steel-plate/
  2. ^ a b T. (2021, February 28). Quenching and tempering of steel. Tec-Science. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://www.tec-science.com/material-science/heat-treatment-steel/quenching-and-tempering/
  3. ^ E. (2020, April 7). Brinell Hardness Test - Methods, advantages, disadvantages, applications. EnggStudy. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://www.enggstudy.com/brinell-hardness-test/
  4. ^ ASM International. (2008). Failure Analysis of Heat Treated Steel Components (L. C. F. Canale, R.A.M., & G. E. Totten, Eds.). ASM International.
  5. ^ ASTM International. (2018). Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials. (Designation: E10-18).
  6. ^ Packard, K. (2006, July 11). Cracking the case. The Fabricator. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://www.thefabricator.com/thewelder/article/consumables/cracking-the-case
  7. ^ Metals, Alliant (2017-05-24). "What is AR500 Steel?". Alliant Metals Inc. Retrieved 2023-09-26.