AR500 Abrasive Resistant Steel, Laser Cutting, Waterjet Cutting, CNC Bending Canada

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.