AR500 and NM500 steel are both high-hardness abrasion-resistant steels with similar core properties but differ in origin, standards, composition nuances, and regional availability.
Here's a detailed comparison:
Origin and Standards
AR500: Follows American ASTM standards (e.g., ASTM A514/A572) .
NM500: Conforms to the Chinese GB/T 24186 standard .
Key implication: AR500 is preferred in North America for compliance with ASTM certifications, while NM500 dominates Asian markets .
AR500 vs NM500: Chemical Composition Comparison
| Property / Element | AR500 (Typical Commercial) | NM500 (Chinese Standard GB/T 24186) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Composition (max %) | ||
| Carbon (C) | ~0.30–0.50% | ≤0.38% (often ~0.25–0.35%) |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.70% | ≤0.70% |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤1.60–1.80% | ≤1.60–1.70% |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.020% | ≤0.025% |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.010% | ≤0.010% |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤1.50% | ≤1.50% |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤1.50% | ≤1.00% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | ≤0.60% | ≤0.65% |
| Boron (B) | ~0.0005–0.006% | ~0.0005–0.006% |
Mechanical Properties Comparison
| Mechanical Property | AR500 | NM500 |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (HBW) | 470–530 HBW typical (some spec up to ~540) | 470–530 HBW (standard range) |
| Yield Strength (Rp0.2) | ~1250–1400 MPa typical | ≥1000–1300 MPa |
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | ~1500–1650 MPa typical (varies by heat treat) | ~1250–1600 MPa |
| Elongation (A%) | ~8–12% (mill dependent) | ≥8–10% |
| Impact Toughness | Often specified for low-temp performance (varies) | ≥24 J @ -20°C (Charpy V-notch) |
Applications
Shared uses: Mining equipment (crusher liners, dump trucks), construction machinery (excavator buckets), and ballistic targets .
AR500 specialization: Military armor (vehicles, shields) due to superior anti-penetration capabilities .
NM500 specialization: Cement/steel industry components (sintering liners, conveyors) requiring cyclic heat resistance .
Hardness:
NM500: NM500 steel plate has a hardness of 500HB. Although it has a high hardness, it performs well in the face of lower-intensity impact and wear. Its hardness is suitable for high-friction environments, especially in long-term work in mining, steel and other fields, which can effectively reduce component wear.
AR500: It also has a hardness of 500HB, but because it focuses more on impact resistance during the manufacturing process, it can maintain better toughness under high-intensity impact. Compared with NM500, AR500 can better withstand high-speed and strong impact loads.
Wear Resistance:
NM500: NM500 has excellent wear resistance and is suitable for medium-intensity friction and wear environments, such as mining machinery, construction equipment, etc. Its high hardness can effectively resist conventional friction and wear.
AR500: AR500's wear resistance is very outstanding among high-hardness steel plates, and is particularly suitable for high-impact and high-friction environments. AR500 has a high hardness and can withstand extreme wear, such as high-speed wear, sand and stone impact, etc. Its wear resistance is usually higher than NM500, and it is suitable for application scenarios requiring extremely high wear resistance, such as military protection, mining equipment, etc.
Impact Resistance:
NM500: Mainly characterized by wear resistance, it is suitable for heavy-load mechanical working environments and can withstand continuous friction and wear.
AR500: Although it also has strong wear resistance, it performs better in high-impact and high-speed impact environments, and is suitable for protection, armor and other fields.
Environmental Adaptability:
Both can adapt to harsh working environments, but AR500 performs more stably in extreme temperatures and high impact environments. NM500 has better durability under long-term friction and load conditions.
Processing and Molding Performance:
NM500 has relatively good processing performance and is suitable for processing into wear-resistant parts with complex shapes and specifications. AR500 has a higher hardness, and special attention should be paid to the selection of tools and processing technology during processing.
GNEE Steel also supplies a variety of high-strength steel plates(A572 Grade 50, A588 Grade A, S355JR, S690Q, SS400, S690QL, Q345B, Q345E, etc.), boilers and pressure vessel steel plates(such as A204 Grade B,A515 Grade 70,A537 Class 1,SA387 Grade 11 Class 1,P265GH,S537 Class 2,P355Q,P275N,P355N,P690Q,Q345R, etc.),ship plate,Corten steel plate and etc. If you want to know more about other types of steel plates, you can call the consultation hotline at +8615824687445 or send an email to info@gneesteels.com. You are welcome to consult us, and we are very willing to answer your questions.
Is NM500 the same as AR500 steel?
Key implication: AR500 is preferred in North America for compliance with ASTM certifications, while NM500 dominates Asian markets . Both steels exceed 500 HBW surface hardness, but AR500 shows marginally higher tensile/yield strength and better low-temperature toughness .
Is Hardox 500 the same as AR500?
Differences Between Hardox and AR500
One of the most significant differences is their hardness level. Hardox grades usually range from 400 to 600, while AR500 has a hardness level 500. Hardox has high toughness and tensile strength and can handle a wide range of extreme temperatures compared to AR500.
What is the difference between Hardox 500 and NM500?
NM500 exhibits a hardness that typically fluctuates between 470-540 HBW, slightly edging out Hardox 500, which generally hovers around 470-530 HBW. This hardness is a key indicator of their prowess in withstanding the effects of abrasive wear and impact.
Can you drill a hole in AR500 steel?
Yes, you can drill AR500 steel, but it's very difficult and requires specific tools, slow speeds, significant force, and heavy lubrication, with carbide-tipped masonry bits or specialized carbide bits often recommended for home setups, while industrial setups might use annular cutters or thread milling. The process is tough on tools, so expect wear, and ensure your drill press is rigid to prevent bit chatter and breakage.
| Other steel plate by GNEE | ||||
| Name | Material | Specification (mm) | Tons | Remark |
| Clad steel plate | P265GH+410,S355JR+410,A516Gr70+316, A537CL1+304L,Q235B+304L,Q345B+304, A516Gr70(NACE)+410,A537CL1+904L, A537CL1+316L,A516Gr70+304L,A537CL1+304 ,A516Gr70+410,A516Gr70+904L |
2-300mm(Based plate),1-50mm(Composited plate) | / | UT, AR, TMCP.Normalized, Quenched and Tempered,Z Direction Test, Charpy V-Notch impact TestThe Third Party Test , Coated or Shot Blasting and Painting. |
| Low Alloy | Q345A, Q345B, Q345C, Q345D, Q345E, Q390, Q420, Q460C, ST52-3, S355J2+N, SS400, SA302GrC, S275NL, 35CrMo | 6 - 350 | 5788.56 | Normalizing, tempered ,controlled rolling, hot rolling , Hot rolling,1st inspection, 2nd inspection, 3rd inspection |
| Pressure Vessel Plate | A204 Grade B,A515 Grade 70,A537 Class 1,SA387 Grade 11 Class 1,P265GH,S537 Class 2,P355Q,P275N,P355N,P690Q,Q345R, | 3 - 300 | 8650 | Normalizing, tempered ,controlled rolling, hot rolling , Hot rolling,1st inspection, 2nd inspection, 3rd inspection |
| High-Strength Plate | A514 Grade F, A572 Grade 50, A588 Grade A, S355JR, S690Q, SS400, S690QL, Q345B, Q345E | 8 - 120 | 3086.352 | Quenched and tempered |
| Wear-Resistant Plate | NM360, NM400, NM450, NM500 | 6 - 150 | 3866.297 | Quenched and tempered |
| Ship Plate | ABS AH32,ABS DH32,ABS EH32,ABS FH36,ASTM A131 A, ASTM A131 EH32,ASTM A131 AH36,CCS A,CCS AH32,LR AH32, DNV A36,BV AH32 |
8 - 200 | 2853.621 | Hot rolling, normalized ,hot rolling controlled rolling, quenched and tempered + toughness and brittleness |
