AR500

AR500 is a family of abrasion-resistant steel grades designed to withstand wear from repeated contact and impact. The designation roughly corresponds to a hardness near 500 Brinell hardness (HBW), with typical offerings ranging around 450–510 HBW depending on the specific grade and heat treatment. Compared with standard structural steels, AR500 provides much higher surface wear resistance while maintaining adequate toughness for many applications.

Composition and processing: AR500 steels are alloyed to enhance wear resistance and are commonly refined through heat treatment, typically involving hardening and tempering. This process yields a hard, wear-resistant surface while preserving enough internal toughness to resist brittle failure. The material is commonly supplied in plate, sheet, or bar form and can be formed, drilled, and machined with appropriate equipment for high-hardness steel.

Applications: The primary uses are wear-prone components in mining, ore processing, and heavy machinery, such as liners, chutes, impact plates, and truck beds. AR500 is also widely used for steel targets in shooting ranges because its hardness resists surface deformation from impacts. While some products are marketed for ballistic use, AR500 plates are not universally equivalent to armor-grade solutions; protective performance depends on plate thickness, bullet type, velocity, and backing conditions.

Fabrication and safety notes: Working with AR500 requires tools and procedures suitable for high-hardness steel, including proper cutting, drilling, and edge finishing. Edges can be extremely sharp after cutting, and the material can produce spall or ricochet if used improperly as a target, underscoring the need for appropriate backing, spacing, and safety measures.