What is ABREX 500
ABREX 500 is part of Nippon Steel’s ABREX™ series, engineered for high wear resistance (approximately 500 HBW hardness). It is optimized for applications involving severe abrasion and impact, while retaining excellent weldability and formability.
Key Properties & Specs
Hardness: Around 500 HBW (~515 BHN typical)
Thickness Range: Offered from ~4.5 mm up to 100 mm, depending on grade and manufacturer
Chemical Composition: Includes carbon (≤ 0.35 %), manganese, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and trace boron to balance hardness and toughness
Mechanical Strength: Tensile strength in the range of 1,200–1,600 N/mm², with high impact resistance
Formability and Weldability: Good bending characteristics; welding requires appropriate preheating to avoid cracking
Advantages
Superior Wear Resistance: 3–5× more abrasion-resistant than mild steel – prolongs service life of equipment
Lightweight Design: Enables lighter structural components compared to using thicker mild steel, leading to economic gains
Versatile Fabrication: Can be cut, welded, bent, and machined using standard workshop techniques
Typical Applications
Widely used in high-wear, impact-prone environments, including:
Mining & quarrying: dump truck liners, crushers, chutes, screens
Construction & earthmoving equipment: buckets, blades, hoppers, conveyor parts
Bulk-material handling: hoppers, scrapers, wear plates
Handling & Fabrication Tips
Use controlled preheating (often around 75–175 °C depending on plate thickness) to prevent weld cracking.
Adhere to welding guidelines—low impurity levels in ABREX promote good weld quality, but proper technique is essential.
Monitor for micro-cracks during forming or bending due to higher hardness and reduced elongation.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ABREX 500 |
|---|---|
| Hardness | ~500 HBW (~515 BHN) |
| Abrasion Resistance | 3–5× that of mild steel |
| Thickness Availability | ~4.5 mm to 100 mm |
| Strength | Tensile ~1,200–1,600 N/mm² (est.) |
| Weldability | Good, with preheat |
| Formability | Good, but watch for cracking |
Manufacturers & Stockists in India
Available through authorized distributors such as:
Prosaic Steel & Alloys
Textron Steel & Alloys
Champak Steel
Multimetals India
and others
Nippon Steel also offers various ABREX grades including ABREX 400, 450, 500, 600 and extra-tough LT variants.
Summary
ABREX 500 is a high-performance, abrasion-resistant steel plate ideal for rugged, wear-intensive settings. It offers a prime blend of hardness, strength, weldability, and lighter weight—extending component lifespan and reducing operational costs. However, welding and forming require good practices and controlled preheat to maintain integrity.