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AR500 Steel Laser & Waterjet Parts – High-Hardness Abrasion-Resistant Cutting & Bending

AR500

abrasive resistant steel

Free Shipping Canada
orders over $250 excluding oversize parcels. please see details. 

MANUFACTURING PROCESSES OFFERED

LASER CUTTING
WATERJET
BENDING

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At uMake.ca – Online Factory, we provide custom AR500 steel parts, a high-hardness, abrasion-resistant alloy engineered for extreme wear, impact, and heavy-duty applications. AR500 steel is ideal for armor plating, wear plates, cutting edges, mining equipment components, and industrial machinery parts that require maximum durability, toughness, and long service life.

Using uMake.ca’s easy online quoting tool, you can get an instant price and lead time for your AR500 steel parts. We offer precision laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and CNC bending, combined with optional finishing or heat treatment, to ensure every part is high-quality, built to spec, and delivered quickly. Plus, enjoy fast and free delivery across Canada, so your AR500 steel components arrive ready for immediate use in your project.

AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel — Properties & Grades

What is AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel and why do engineers order it from uMake? AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel is valued for its the highest abrasion resistance of common wear plate grades, with Brinell hardness of 470–540 HBW. AR500 is approximately 25% harder than AR400, extending service life in extreme abrasion applications but requiring greater care in cutting and welding due to higher hardness uMake cuts AR500 via fiber laser cutting to ±0.1 mm tolerances, deburred and surface-finished before shipping. Instant quote at app.umake.ca.
What thicknesses of AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel does uMake stock and cut? uMake stocks AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel from 3 mm to 20 mm. AR500 is the standard material for ballistic steel shooting targets — its high hardness deflects projectiles rather than absorbing them, preventing dangerous splash-back All thicknesses are available for same-day production entry on app.umake.ca with no minimum order. Contact quoting@umake.ca for specialty gauges.
What industries most commonly order AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel from uMake? The most active industries ordering AR500 through app.umake.ca include high-impact mining wear, ballistic steel targets, heavy aggregate processing, pulverizer liners, extreme wear conveyor systems. uMake serves prototype and production quantities with equal priority — no minimum order, transparent pricing at every volume. Instant quote at app.umake.ca.
What are the key mechanical properties of AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel that determine its application fit? AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel delivers the highest abrasion resistance of common wear plate grades, with Brinell hardness of 470–540 HBW. Its combination of machinability, weldability, and finish characteristics makes it suitable for a wide range of structural and functional applications. For applications where AR400 would also qualify, uMake can quote both simultaneously for direct cost comparison at app.umake.ca.

Cutting & Processing AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel at uMake

What cutting process does uMake use for AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel, and what tolerances are achievable? uMake uses fiber laser cutting for AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel, achieving ±0.1 mm dimensional tolerance with a heat-affected zone under 0.3 mm. Every metal part is deburred and surface-finished before shipping — arriving weld-ready, paint-ready, and assembly-ready. Submit your DXF at app.umake.ca for an instant itemized quote including material, cutting, finishing, and shipping.
Can uMake handle complex profiles, tabs, and slots in AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel? Yes — fiber laser cutting handles complex profiles, fine internal slots, and tight-tolerance features in AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel that plasma cannot match. Interlocking tab-and-slot assemblies, press-fit features, and tight-radius cutouts all produce accurately. For DXF submission, design slots 0.1–0.2 mm wider than the mating tab for clean fit without filing. The app.umake.ca platform validates geometry on upload and flags undersized features before production.

Is there a minimum order quantity for acrylic laser cutting? Zero. None. Not one. You can order a single acrylic piece — one custom earring, one award, one prototype enclosure panel — and receive the same precision, the same flame-polished edge quality, and the same fast shipping as a 500-piece production run. There are no setup fees, no plate charges, and no penalty for small quantities. This is one of the most important reasons Canadian makers, small businesses, and Etsy sellers choose uMake. You can: Test a new product design with a single prototype before investing in inventory Fulfill one-off custom orders for clients without overstocking Replace a single damaged piece from a display or installation Iterate your design multiple times without commitment to large batches Order one piece today at app.umake.ca — no minimums, no excuses.

What file formats work best for AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel laser cutting orders at uMake? DXF is the standard for flat 2D AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel profiles — compatible with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and Rhino. For bent parts requiring press brake forming, submit a STEP file with the unfolded flat pattern and bend lines annotated. The app.umake.ca platform validates your upload in real time, flags open paths, scale errors, and features below minimum size. For orders with GD&T callouts or weld symbols, attach a PDF drawing in the order notes.

AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel Applications by Industry

What structural and fabrication applications use AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel from uMake? AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel is specified for structural brackets, mounting plates, frames, gussets, and enclosures across high-impact mining wear, ballistic steel targets, heavy aggregate processing, pulverizer liners, extreme wear conveyor systems. uMake's fiber laser produces weld-ready edges with minimal HAZ, reducing post-cut grinding — saving labour cost per finished assembly. For fabricators ordering AR500 on recurring production schedules, app.umake.ca's one-click reorder eliminates re-quoting time.
How is AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel used in architectural and decorative fabrication at uMake? Architects, interior designers, and custom fabricators order AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel for decorative screens, feature walls, stair components, railings, and cladding details — applications where clean laser-cut edges and precise geometry deliver a quality of finish impossible with plasma. uMake's fiber laser produces sharp corners, fine perforations, and complex decorative patterns in AR500 that translate directly to installation-ready components. Quote decorative AR500 panels at app.umake.ca.
What maintenance, repair, and industrial operations applications use AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel from uMake? Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) teams across Canadian industry rely on uMake's no-minimum, instant-quote platform to source replacement brackets, wear plates, guards, and custom fabricated components in AR500 without the lead times and minimums of traditional fabrication shops. A broken bracket, a worn plate, or a custom spacer can be ordered at app.umake.ca in minutes and received in days — eliminating production downtime from waiting for custom metal parts.
How do product designers and startups use AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel for hardware prototyping at uMake? Hardware product developers consistently choose uMake for AR500 prototyping because the platform's instant quote removes the quoting barrier that slows traditional fabrication. A designer can upload five variants of a bracket design, compare costs, and order all five simultaneously — validating form, fit, and function in physical hardware within days. No minimum order means prototype quantities of one or two parts are economically viable. As designs mature, the same platform scales to production volumes without supplier transition.

AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel vs. Other Materials

When does AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel outperform AR400, and when is AR400 the better choice? AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel's the highest abrasion resistance of common wear plate grades, with Brinell hardness of 470–540 HBW makes it superior to AR400 in applications requiring fiber laser cutting-level precision and the highest abrasion resistance of common wear plate grades. AR400 may be preferred for weight-critical applications or where corrosion in aggressive environments is paramount. uMake stocks both — quote both materials simultaneously at app.umake.ca for direct cost and performance comparison.
Can AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel be welded after laser cutting at uMake, and what prep is required? Yes — laser-cut AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel edges from uMake arrive weld-ready with HAZ under 0.3 mm and no burr requiring grinding before welding. This is a significant labour savings versus plasma-cut equivalents, which typically require 15–30 minutes of grinding per part before weld prep. Specify weld preparation requirements in your order notes at app.umake.ca — the team can adjust cutting parameters for specific edge profiles if required by your welding process.
What is the cost comparison between ordering AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel from uMake versus a local fabrication shop? uMake's automated platform eliminates the overhead costs embedded in traditional fab shop quotes — no outside sales staff, no manual nesting, no quoting overhead. The result is transparent, market-rate pricing calculated in under 60 seconds at app.umake.ca. For quantities below 50 parts, uMake's digital workflow consistently delivers lower total cost than local shops that amortize setup costs over small runs. For quantities above 50, uMake's volume discounts maintain competitiveness. Free shipping over $250 CAD is included — compare total landed cost, not just material rate.
Can uMake combine AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel with other metals or plastics in a single order? Yes — mixed-material orders are routine on app.umake.ca. AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel laser cutting combines with stainless, aluminum, or acrylic operations under one order number, coordinated internally and shipped together. For assemblies requiring powder coating on AR500 components alongside uncoated or differently-finished parts, uMake manages the workflow sequence and delivers finished assemblies rather than loose flat blanks. Submit your complete BOM and the platform prices each component in one session.

Ordering AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel at uMake

What is the minimum order for AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel laser cutting at uMake? No minimum order — one AR500 bracket ships with the same speed and quality as five hundred. Pricing is calculated on material consumed and cutting time, with no setup fees, plate charges, or minimums. Volume discounts apply automatically at checkout. For prototype-to-production workflows, uMake handles both stages under the same platform without supplier transition. Quote any AR500 quantity instantly at app.umake.ca.
How quickly can uMake produce and ship AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel parts across Canada? Standard-stock AR500 thicknesses enter production same business day. Cutting completes in 1–2 business days for most geometries. Shipping to GTA and Ottawa takes 1–2 business days; Prairie provinces 3–4 days; BC 4–5 days. Express production and priority shipping are selectable at checkout with exact delivery dates shown before you confirm. Free shipping on orders over $250 CAD. For urgent replacement parts, contact quoting@umake.ca directly.
Can uMake maintain consistency across repeat AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel production orders? Yes — every order is stored permanently in app.umake.ca. Repeat orders apply identical cutting parameters, material grade, and production notes automatically. For AR500 parts on recurring production schedules — monthly brackets, quarterly wear plates, ongoing fabrication programs — one-click reorder from your dashboard eliminates re-quoting. Net-30 terms available for approved accounts. Contact accounting@umake.ca after five completed orders.
Does uMake offer certified material for AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel orders in regulated industries? uMake can provide mill certificates and material test reports for AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel on request — relevant for aerospace, defence, pressure vessel, and other regulated applications. Standard orders through app.umake.ca include material type and thickness on production documentation. Full material traceability — lot numbers, heat numbers, test data — is available as a service add-on. Specify certification requirements at quoting@umake.ca when ordering.

Technical FAQ — AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel at uMake

What are the weldability and joining characteristics of AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel? AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel joins by MIG, TIG, and spot welding depending on thickness and alloy. Laser-cut edges from uMake are clean and burr-free, arriving weld-ready without secondary grinding. For thin-gauge AR500, TIG provides the best weld quality; for production volume, MIG is more economical. Adhesive bonding, mechanical fastening, and press-fit assembly are all applicable to AR500 components from uMake. Contact quoting@umake.ca if your joining method has specific edge preparation requirements.
What corrosion resistance does AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel offer, and when is protective coating required? AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel's corrosion resistance depends on alloy grade and environment. AR500 is approximately 25% harder than AR400, extending service life in extreme abrasion applications but requiring greater care in cutting and welding due to higher hardness For outdoor or chemically exposed applications, powder coating, anodizing (aluminum), or zinc plating extends service life significantly. uMake offers powder coating in any RAL colour as an integrated finishing step — specify at app.umake.ca or contact quoting@umake.ca for finishing-inclusive quotes.
How does heat from laser cutting affect the mechanical properties of AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel? uMake's fiber laser produces a heat-affected zone under 0.3 mm on AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel — far smaller than plasma (1–5 mm HAZ) or oxy-fuel cutting. This minimal HAZ preserves base metal mechanical properties in the vast majority of applications. For heat-treated alloys (7075-T6 aluminum, hardened AR plate), the small HAZ at the cut edge does not meaningfully reduce bulk mechanical performance. For applications where any HAZ is unacceptable, waterjet cutting is the correct alternative — uMake's 5-axis waterjet cuts metal with zero heat input.
What design features should I avoid or accommodate when designing AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel laser-cut parts? For AR500 Abrasion-Resistant Steel laser cutting: avoid features narrower than 1.5× material thickness (they risk burn-through and distortion); maintain hole diameters at minimum 1× material thickness; keep slots wider than the kerf (0.1–0.3 mm depending on thickness); and allow adequate web between features to prevent warping in thin sheet. Inside corners will have a small radius equal to approximately half the kerf width. For tight-tolerance assemblies, design with measured kerf width as a variable — the app.umake.ca platform provides kerf dimensions for each material-thickness combination at checkout.

FAQ / Q&A AR500 Fabrication

Countersink Specs
Values3
Min countersink part size
1" x 4"
Max countersink part size
14" x 46"
Countersink Min Minor
0.130"
Countersink Max Major
0.472"
Countersink Min Hole Center to Material Edge
0.361"
Properties
Value
Advertised Thickness
0.125"
Gauge
N/A
Thickness tolerance positive
0.007"
Thickness tolerance negative
0.006"
Top/Bottom Finish
Textured top side, smooth bottom
Sourced from
Canada
General Details
Properties 2
Value2
Cutting process
CNC Router
Cut tolerance +/-
0.005"
Flatness tolerance before cutting
+/- 0.030" per foot
Min part size
1" x 2"
Max part size
44" x 30"
Min hole size
0.125"
Min bridge size
0.125"
Min hole to edge distance
0.38"
Tab and slot Tolerance
0.015"
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Countersink Specs
Values3
Min countersink part size
1" x 4"
Max countersink part size
14" x 46"
Countersink Min Minor
0.130"
Countersink Max Major
0.472"
Countersink Min Hole Center to Material Edge
0.361"
Countersink Specifications
Tapping Specs
Value4
Largest Tap
M10 x 1.5
Smallest Tap
M4 x 0.7
Min Flat Part Size Tapping
0.949" x 1.5"
Max Flat Part Size Tapping
36" x 46"
Tapping Min Hole to Edge
0.063"
Tapping Min Hole Center to Material Edge
Tap hole size/2 +0.063"
ABS Properties
Value5
Material Composition
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
Density
65.664 lb/ft^3
Heat treatment process
N/A
ASTM
D4673
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
4.5 ksi
Tensile Strength (Yield)
3.5 ksi
Shear Strength
2 ksi
Shear Modulus
75 ksi
Fatigue Strength
2 ksi
Izod Impact Strength
6.3 ft-lbs/in
Coefficient of Friction
0.19 – 0.21
Rockwell
R 90 - R100
Elongation at Break
25%
Elastic Modulus
340 ksi
Poisson’s Ratio
.35
Thermal Conductivity
0.22 BTU/h-ft °F
Vicat Softening Temp
150 °F
Melting Point
390 °F
Magnetic
No
Does it Rust
No
ABS Properties
Tapping Specifications
CNC Router Cutting Specifications

CHARACTERISTICS

A high carbon steel alloy with high wear + tear resistance

Great welding capabilities

High abrasion resistance

Good durability and ductility

High heat resistance

DISADVANTAGES

Not for structural use

Poor strength to weight ratio

PRODUCT AND INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS

material handling, sports equipment, robotic

AR500 is an abrasion-resistant (AR) steel grade known for its exceptional hardness, toughness, and durability, with a nominal hardness of around 500 Brinell. Like AR400, it is produced through quenching and tempering, where the steel is heated and rapidly cooled to create a hard microstructure capable of withstanding intense wear and impact. AR500 is typically manufactured by rolling and heat treating thick steel plates, and it can be shaped or cut using specialized techniques like plasma cutting, laser cutting, or waterjet cutting. It is widely used in applications such as ballistic armor, shooting range targets, mining equipment, dump truck liners, and heavy-duty wear plates where maximum resistance to abrasion and impact is critical.

The advantages of AR500 include its outstanding wear resistance, very high impact toughness, and long service life even in the most extreme environments. It also offers strong ballistic protection, making it popular in defense and law enforcement applications. However, AR500 comes with some challenges: it is extremely difficult to machine, drill, or weld without specialized equipment and procedures, and its rigidity can make it prone to cracking under excessive bending or during improper fabrication. Additionally, while AR500 is very tough, it can lose toughness in extremely cold conditions if not handled correctly. Despite these drawbacks, AR500 remains the go-to material when maximum durability and resistance to physical damage are top priorities.

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