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A REVIEW OF HIGH-STRENGTH
WEAR-RESISTANT STEEL
HARDOX
Conference Paper September 2015

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1 author:
Katarzyna Pawlak
Wroclaw University of Science a
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Retrieved on: 16 April 2016

Katarzyna PAWLAK

Hardox steel, steel properties,


wear resistance, microstructure, hardness,
mining, agriculture, recycling

Katarzyna PAWLAK*

A REVIEW OF HIGH-STRENGTH WEAR-RESISTANT STEEL


HARDOX

The aim of this work is to present the most important information about Hardox- the high-strength
wear-resistant martensitic steel. This type of steel cuts down on weight and extends the service life of
steel structure in comparison with regular steel. What is necessary to say, after the final expiration
date, the product can be recycled into new strong and energy-saving materials. Thanks to the unique
combination of properties, such as hardness, toughness and strength, it is possible to use thinner
plates. The author collected chemical composition of Hardox steels with microstructures, mechanical
properties and applications. In the article all seven types of these steel has been discussed. Due to too
low amount of publications about them, it was necessary to use material information published by
SSAB. an attempt to clarify the effect of alloying additives on the properties has been made in the paper. The main argument to write this review was the lack of this type of paper.

1. INTRODUCTION
Until the nineteen-eighties the materials which were used to build machines did not
guarantee the required stability. In result, material consumption was severed and machine
parts needed frequent improvement. Those aspects were the reason to start producing new
steels from 1970 which were named Hardox. The producer was a Swedish group SSAB
Oxelsund. Currently ironwork in Oxelsund produces seven types of such steels. The
basis for the classification is hardness in Brinell scale, exception Hardox Extreme and
Hardox HiTuf [1]. The Hardox steels are characterized mainly by high resistance to wear
friction, weldability, good ductility and machinability [2]. The disadvantage of Hardox is
low corrosion resistance what can limit their application in aggressive environments.
__________
* Politechnika Wrocawska, Wydzia Mechaniczny, Katedra Materiaoznawstwa, Wytrzymaoci
i Spawalnictwa, ul. Smoluchowskiego 25, 50 370

A review of high-strength wear-resistant steel - Hardox

2. HARDOX STEELS
Hardox low-alloy steel achieves high strength properties due to appropriate composition of the alloying additives (low content of harmful elements such as S and P) at a relatively lower price in comparison with other structural steel [3]. Hardox steel differ depending on the species and plate thickness, carbon content and alloying elements (Ni, Mn, Cr,
Mo, B). Nickel with a content from 0.25 to approximately 2.50% does not form a carbide
in these steels but causes lowering of the austenitizing temperature (with the formation of
a fairly wide area like austenite + ferrite) and lowers the transition temperature of the material in the brittle fracture. Manganese is added at a level of 1.0 to 1.6%, improving the
durability of this steel and increasing its hardenability by solution hardening. Manganese
as an austenite stabilizer reduces the carbon content in pearlite and reduces the ferrite
grains during the hot rolling process. Carbide forming elements, such as Cr, Mo, Ti, V, W,
increase the time which is taken to start transformation diffusion, thereby the hardenability
of the steel is increasing. Furthermore, the content of molybdenum in an amount from 0.25
to 0.60% (excluding Hardox 600 steel) influences the positive effect of secondary hardness and reduces the occurrence of the temper brittleness for temperature in the range between 250400C (Hardox steels are tempering mainly in temperature from range 200 and
700C). The presence of molybdenum in steel (minimum content of Mo is approximately
0.2%) is even more important because of chromium (as well as nickel in his presence)
which causes an increased brittleness of the steel after tempering. This effect is also observed for phosphorus and other elements in trace amount [4].
2.1. HARDOX HiTuf

Hardox HiTuf steels were launched in 2005 and are used as a construction material for
tools working under the increased resistance to abrasion. HiTuf sheet is available in varying thickness and its nominal hardness is 350HBW. Additionally, tempering gives a set of
suitable properties to HiTuf steel, and as a result of the process the hardness is reduced and
ductility is increased. HiTuf sheet, after the exposure to temperatures higher than 500C,
can lose their properties. Chemical composition is given in Table 1. Typical yield strength,
which is not guaranteed, is 850 MPa. Hardness ranges from 310 to 370 HBW. The minimum impact energy for transverse Charpy V tests on 10x10 mm test specimen is 40 J in
temperature -40C [1].
Table 1. Chemical composition of Hardox HiTuf steel [1]
Thickness[mm]

Mn

Si

4070

0.20

1.60

0.60

Chemical composition [%]


P
S
Cr
Ni
0.050

0.020

0.70

2.00

Mo

0.70

0.005

CEV
0.56 (4070)
0.66 (70160)

Katarzyna PAWLAK

2.2. HARDOX 400

The type Hardox 400 is the steel with the widest


application on the Polish market. These sheets are
used for applications related to the extension of working hour and increasing capacity, in such elements as
loaders, bulldozers, buckets or trays. The required
range of hardness (370430 HBW) in a combination
with high ductility is achieved by quenching and
tempering. Above 250C mechanical properties guaranteed by the producer in delivery status (such as
yield strength Re = 1000 MPa, tensile strength Rm =
1250 MPa, elongation A5 = 10%) can be lost [1].
Chemical composition is given in Table 2.

Fig. 1. Microstructure of Hardox


400 steel in delivery state (thickness
8 mm), etched with Mi1Fe, light
microscopy [5]

Table 2. Chemical composition of Hardox 400 steel [1]


Thickness[mm]
3130

C
0.32

Mn
1.60

Si
0.70

Fig. 2. Microstructure of Hardox


400 steel after normalization (thickness 8 mm), etched with Mi1Fe,
light microscopy [5]

Chemical composition [%]


P
S
Cr
Ni
0.025 0.010 1.40
1.50

Mo
0.60

B
0.004

CEV
0.410.76

Observations of the samples of Hardox 400 in


nonetheless status show the presence of a small
amount of non-metallic inclusions, mainly in the
form of brittle silicates, oxides, titanium, nitrides
and sulfides.
After etching steel reveals a tempered martensite
structure (Fig. 1.). After the process of normalizing,
the microstructure is a combination of ferrite and
pearlite with mild banding features. Fine pearlite is
partially irregular (Fig. 2.) [5].

2.3. HARDOX 450

Hardox 450 steel is used widely in many industries as a material for components in excavators, containers, dump trucks, sieves hoppers or crushers. Increasing the hardness to
425475 HBW may increase the durability of components relating to Hardox 400 up to
50%. It has been observed that durability of element from Hardox 450 which work in
contact with abrasive materials such as basalt (higher durability by 345%) and granite

A review of high-strength wear-resistant steel - Hardox

(higher by 7585%) has increased [6]. The detailed chemical composition is given in Table 3. Mechanical properties in delivery state depend on thickness: for 0.72.1 mm Re =
1300 MPa, Rm = 14001600 MPa, A5 = 3%, for 380 mm Re = 11001300 MPa, for (80)
100 mm Re = 10501300 MPa and for (100)130 mm Re = 10001300 MPa [1].

Fig. 3. Microstructure of Hardox 450 steel in


delivery state (thickness 30 mm), etched with
Mi1Fe, light microscopy [1]

Fig. 4. Microstructure of Hardox 450 steel after


normalization (thickness 30 mm), etched with
Mi1Fe, light microscopy [7]

Steel can provide a tempered martensite structure with mixed bainitic areas, which may
result from the separation of chemical composition (Fig. 3.). After normalizing the microstructure consists of ferrite and pearlite unlike in the steel in delivery state. Fine pearlite
grains has been observed (Fig. 4.).
Table 3. Chemical composition of Hardox 450 (A) and Hardox 500 (B) steel [1]
Chemical composition [%]
P
S
Cr
Ni
0.015 0.004
0.10
0.10

Thickness[mm]
0.72.1
A
3130

C
0.18

Mn
1.30

Si
0.25

0.26

1.60

0.70

0.025

0.010

1.40

4103

0.30

1.60

0.70

0.020

0.010

1.50

Mo
0.04

B
0.003

1.50

0.60

0.005

1.50

0.60

0.005

CEV
0.39
0.48
0.74
0.49
0.75

2.4. HARDOX 500

The next steel is Hardox 500 which hardness depends on plate thickness, so for 432
mm it is the range of 470530 HBW and for (32)103 mm: 450540 HBW. Chemical
composition is given in Table 3 (with Hardox 450 steel). High mechanical properties (Re =
1250 MPa) allow to use Hardox 500 steel for such elements as crushers, flooring and plow
mixers. Moreover, this steel has good weldability. Welded joints reach strength up to 700
MPa, which is higher than the possibility of the strength of joints in case of different steels,
for example 35SG or 18G2A [1].

Katarzyna PAWLAK

The microstructure of Hardox 500 is similar to temper sorbite (Fig. 5.), except the fact
that the hardness is significantly higher than sorbite in unalloyed steels. Structure has tempered martensite orientation with small carbide precipitates coherently distributed within
the grains of martensite what is associated with increasing carbon content in Hardox 500
[10]. After normalizing, the band structure of ferrite and pearlite can be observed (Fig. 6.),
which proves a lower latency evolution of ferrite and pearlite transformation that is apparent from the graph CCT for steel which has got similar chemical composition to Hardox
500 [5].

Fig. 5. Microstructure of Hardox 500 steel in


delivery state (thickness 8 mm), etched with
Mi1Fe, light microscopy [5]

Fig. 6. Microstructure of Hardox 500 steel after


normalization (thickness 8 mm), etched with
Mi1Fe, light microscopy [5]

2.5. HARDOX 550

Hardox 550 steel is mainly used as a base material for the production of knives, hammers, grinders, crushers, hoppers or sit baths. The range of hardness is 525575 HBW.
Chemical composition is given in Table 4 [1]. Despite some limitations in welding (CEV
0.72), it can be welded with all conventional welding methods using preheating and appropriately selected welding materials in the form of electrodes from austenitic steel, solid
wires and cored wires [7].
2.6. HARDOX 600

Hardox 600 steel is a material with a high ductility, toughness and resistance to impact
loads, retaining the ability to bond metal plates by conventional welding methods. This
steel is referred to as the high-quality abrasion-resistant steel. Its chemical composition
is given in Table 4 (with Hardox 550 steel). In contrast to other types of Hardox, Hardox
600 is intended only for application connected with an abrasive wear of base material and
is not dedicated to the typical structural applications [1].

A review of high-strength wear-resistant steel - Hardox

Table 4. Chemical composition of Hardox 550 (A), Hardox 600 (B) and Hardox Extreme (C) steel [1]
Thickness[mm]
A
B
C

1050
851
819

C
0.37
0.47
0.47

Mn
1.30
1.00
1.40

Chemical composition [%]


Si
P
S
Cr
0.50 0.020 0.010 1.40
0.70 0.015 0.010 1.20
0.50 0.015 0.010 1.20

Ni
1.40
2.50
2.50

Mo
0.60
0.70
0.80

B
0.004
0.005
0.004

CEV
0.72
0.76 / 0.87
0.59

2.7. HARDOX EXTREME

The newest product, among the high-strength sheet offered by SSAB Oxelsund, is
Hardox Extreme. Steel with a hardness between 650 and 700 HBW is designed for operation in an environment exposed to extreme abrasive factors. Among the main areas of
application there should mentioned the elements used in the recycling industry, carpet
construction in mining, chutes and crushers. Unlike species of 500, 550 or 600, Hardox
Extreme steel, in temperatures above 150C, may exhibit decreased mechanical properties
as compared to the delivery state [1][8]. Chemical composition is given in Table 4.

Fig. 7. Microstructure of Hardox Extreme steel in


delivery state, etched with Mi1Fe, light microscopy [9]

Fig. 8. Microstructure of Hardox Extreme steel


after normalization, etched with Mi1Fe, light
microscopy [9]

The structure is consisted of tempered martensite (Fig. 7.). After normalization (Fig. 8),
despite the relatively slow cooling process from austenitization temperature, the material
was hardened, which proves its very good hardenability [9].

3. CONCLUSIONS
In the article the structures, chemical compositions and properties of Hardox steels
have been presented. In Poland, they Hardox steel has been used since 1996, mainly in
agricultural, mining, construction and transport. For example, Hardox steel has been used

Katarzyna PAWLAK

in applications of Turw Coal Mine (excavator components in KWB 1500s) and KWB
Konin (knives buckets in an excavator type SRs-1200) [9]. The increase of the strength
properties, while minimizing the ratio of the CEV is achieved by additions of boron, niobium and titanium [10].
REFERENCES

[1] Information materials SSAB (available on line: http://www.ssab.com/, 25.05.2015)


[2] TKOWSKA B.: Wpyw obrbki cieplnej na struktur i wybrane wasnoci stali gatunku B27 oraz
28MCB5, Rozprawa doktorska, Politechnika Wrocawska, Wrocaw, 2013.
[3] FRYDMAN S., TKOWSKA B.: Odporno na kruche pkanie wspczesnych stali niskowglowych z borem, Grnictwo odkrywkowe, nr 3-4 (56), 2011, 17-24.
[4] PKALSKI G., HAIMANN K., KONAT ., KONIAREK K., KRYGLA M.: Badania materiaowe
stali Hardox 400 i stali Hardox 500, Raport serii SPR 10/2005, Wrocaw, 2005.
[5] KONAT .: Struktury i waciwoci stali Hardox a ich moliwoci aplikacyjne w warunkach zuywania ciernego i obcie dynamicznych, Rozprawa doktorska, Politechnika Wrocawska, Wrocaw,
2007.
[6] Upgrading from Hardox 400 to Hardox 450, Information materials SSAB (available on line:
http://www.ssab.com/, 25.05.2015)
[7] Hardox 550 in the workshop (available on line: http://www.ssab.com/, 25.05.2015)
[8] LIPISKA A.: Mikrostruktury, wasnoci i koszty zastosowa stali Hardox Extreme w maszynach
grniczych, Praca dyplomowa, Politechnika Wrocawska, Wrocaw, 2013.
[9] DUDZISKI W., KONAT ., PKALSKI G.: Tworzywa konstrukcyjne maszyn podstawowych, [w:]
Strategia utrzymania w ruchu maszyn i urzdze grnictwa odkrywkowego o wysokim stopniu degradacji, Oficyna Wydawnicza Politechniki Wrocawskiej, Wrocaw, 2013, 336 367.
[10] ADAMCZYK J.: Inynieria materiaw metalowych. Cz 1, Wydawnictwo Politechniki lskiej,
Gliwice, 2005.

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