Hardox®
What is Hardox®?
Hardox® is a registered trademark of SSAB, best known for its wear-resistant steel products. First introduced to the market in 1974, Hardox® steel combines exceptional hardness, strength, and toughness, making it an ideal material for demanding applications.
Properties of Hardox® steel
The key property of Hardox® steel is its high hardness, which varies depending on the steel grade. For example, Hardox® 400 steel has a nominal hardness of 400 HBW, while Hardox® 500 Tuf steel reaches 500 HBW. This high level of hardness ensures outstanding resistance to abrasive materials. Additionally, Hardox® steel offers high impact toughness, meaning it resists impacts and fractures even at low temperatures. This combination allows the steel to be used as a structural material, enabling the design of lighter and more durable structures without sacrificing safety.
Machinability of Hardox® steel
Despite its high hardness, Hardox® steel is surprisingly easy to work with. It can be cut, welded, and machined using standard methods and tools. For instance, Hardox® 400 steel can be bent to very small radii, which sets it apart from many other wear-resistant steels. The low-alloy chemical composition of the steel improves its weldability, and preheating is generally not required for thicknesses under 20 mm. This makes Hardox® steel a popular choice among machine shops that value the material’s versatility and workability.
Applications of Hardox® steel
Hardox® steel is widely used across various industries that demand high wear resistance. Typical applications include:
- Mining: Excavator buckets, conveyors, and crushers exposed to continuous abrasion.
- Construction: Dump bodies, concrete mixers, and asphalt machines where resistance to abrasive materials is crucial.
- Agriculture: Tillage equipment and potato harvesters that encounter heavy wear during daily use.
- Recycling: Garbage trucks and recycling equipment subjected to significant material wear.
Benefits of Hardox® steel for machine shops and manufacturers
Machine shops and manufacturers benefit from using Hardox® steel in many ways. The material’s high wear resistance means that produced parts last longer, reducing maintenance and replacement needs. Moreover, the steel’s good machinability allows for the creation of complex and versatile components without the need for special tools, boosting production efficiency and cutting costs. Using Hardox® steel can also enhance end product performance, leading to greater customer satisfaction and competitiveness in the market.
Summary
Hardox® is a wear-resistant steel developed by SSAB that combines high hardness, strength, and toughness. Its excellent machinability and wide range of uses make it a popular material across various industries. For machine shops and manufacturers, Hardox® offers the opportunity to produce durable, high-quality products that meet even the most stringent standards.
