Wear resistant steel is used in areas where there is likely to be a high degree of abrasion or wear of the steel plate. Typical applications are in truck beds, attachments to diggers and earth movers and in processing applications in the mining industry.

The key quality for wear resistant steels is their hardness. We sell wear plate according to its hardness measured on the Brinnell Hardness Test – usually in 400HB and 500HB grades. If your specification is to the Rockwell Test we can also advise.

Steels with a high HB rating (Brinell Hardness) are intended for applications where wear or abrasion resistance is important. The benefit of using an abrasion resistant steel is that that the plant, machinery or constructions working life can be extended considerably. This can significantly improve the reliability, durability and safety of structures and equipment. It also helps to reduce the maintenance costs associated with wear and breakdown of plant.

400 HB steel is over 3 times harder than mild steel (120HB), but only a third as hard as stainless steel (1250HB). Example uses are for construction machinery, skips, bulldozers and excavators, buckets and conveyors. The steel is quenched which provides wear resistance; in order to improve hardness it may also be tempered. Lower HB’s generally provide good cold bending properties and good weldability. Weldability is not generally reduced as the hardness increases.

Wear resistant steels are not appropriate for use at temperatures over 250°C as the heat can cause changes to the material properties.

Testing is undertaken by firing 10mm steel or tungsten carbide ball at 29kN and the size of the resulting indentation is measured. Tests are carried out according to EN ISO 6506 or ASTM E10. The figures below are representative of 15mm thick 400HB and 500HB plates.