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

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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

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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

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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

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  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.