On this page 9 sections
What is AR550 Plates?
Quick answer
- Standard
- Mill specification
- Hardness
- ≈ 525 – 575 HBW
- Product form
- Plates
- Typical uses
- Wear liners in cement and mining; Cutting edges
AR550 is a commercial hardness class, not an ASTM grade. Each steel mill makes its own 550-HBW product with its own chemistry, toughness and thickness range. The plates are produced by quenching and tempering low-alloy steel (with chromium, molybdenum, nickel and boron in varying amounts) to give a hard, tough martensitic structure through the thickness.
Wear life rises roughly with hardness in sliding abrasion, but so do the demands of fabrication. AR550 plate needs careful bending radii, low-hydrogen welding consumables and, for thicker sections, preheat. Flame and plasma cutting heat should be controlled so the edges don't soften. Always check the specific mill's datasheet for the grade you buy.
Key characteristics
- Nominal 550 HBW (≈ 525 – 575 HBW)
- Quenched and tempered martensitic steel
- Limited formability: mainly flat liners and cut parts
- Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables
What does the AR550 specification cover?
Sizes and weight chart
Plate weight is thickness × density. Values below are calculated for AR550 Plates at 7.85 g/cm³.
| Thickness (mm) | kg/m² | Plate 1,500 × 6,000 mm (kg) | Plate 2,000 × 6,000 mm (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 23.5 | 212 | 283 |
| 5 | 39.3 | 353 | 471 |
| 6 | 47.1 | 424 | 565 |
| 8 | 62.8 | 565 | 754 |
| 10 | 78.5 | 707 | 942 |
| 12 | 94.2 | 848 | 1,130 |
| 16 | 125.6 | 1,130 | 1,507 |
| 20 | 157.0 | 1,413 | 1,884 |
| 25 | 196.3 | 1,766 | 2,355 |
| 30 | 235.5 | 2,120 | 2,826 |
| 40 | 314.0 | 2,826 | 3,768 |
| 50 | 392.5 | 3,533 | 4,710 |
| 65 | 510.3 | 4,592 | 6,123 |
| 80 | 628.0 | 5,652 | 7,536 |
| 100 | 785.0 | 7,065 | 9,420 |
Testing and documentation
- Size range
- Thickness about 3 – 150 mm (and heavier on request), widths 1,000 – 3,000 mm, lengths 2,000 – 12,000 mm; cut-to-size and profile-cut parts
- Finish
- No.1 (hot-rolled, annealed and pickled) for stainless; shot-blasted, mill scale or primed for carbon steel
- Ends
- Mill edge, sheared, plasma or waterjet cut, profile cut to drawing
Testing & documents
- Chemical analysis and tensile tests (per plate or heat)
- Impact tests for low-temperature and pressure-vessel plates
- Ultrasonic testing (e.g. ASTM A435 / A578) when specified
- IGC, HIC and simulated PWHT tests as required
- Flatness and dimensional inspection
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Where is AR550 used?
- Wear liners in cement and mining
- Cutting edges
- Crusher wear parts
- Pump and slurry-handling liners
Industries
What to include in your enquiry
- Specification and grade: AR550 Plates
- Thickness × width × length or cut-to-size drawing
- Quantity and destination
- Tests and certificates (3.1 / 3.2)
Explore more
Frequently asked questions
Is AR550 an ASTM standard?
No. AR550 is a commercial hardness designation. Each mill defines its own 550-HBW product, so compare datasheets rather than assuming brands are interchangeable.
Can AR550 be welded?
Yes, with low-hydrogen consumables and controlled heat input. Thicker plates need preheat according to the mill's recommendations.
What is AR550 Plates used for?
Wear liners in cement and mining, Cutting edges, Crusher wear parts, Pump and slurry-handling liners.
Which documents are supplied with AR550 Plates?
EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate as standard, with 3.2 and third-party inspection on request.