In industries where equipment is exposed to severe abrasion, impact, and continuous sliding wear, ordinary structural steels wear out quickly. XAR plates are engineered to solve this problem by combining high hardness, strength, and toughness—delivering increased service life and reduced maintenance costs for equipment components.
Originally developed by thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, XAR steels (short for eXtra Abrasion Resistant) are now widely used worldwide for applications that demand exceptional wear resistance under dynamic and high-stress conditions.
What Are XAR Plates?
XAR plates are a family of abrasion-resistant (AR) steel plates manufactured through controlled quenching and tempering heat treatments. This process enhances their microstructure to achieve a hard, wear-resistant surface and a tough core capable of absorbing impact energy.
XAR grades range from lower hardness levels like XAR 300 up to very high grades such as XAR 600, allowing engineers to select the right material based on the severity of abrasion and impact loads.
Grades and Hardness Levels
One of the key metrics for evaluating abrasion-resistant plates is Brinell hardness (HBW)—a measure of a steel’s resistance to indentation and wear. Typical XAR plate grades include:
| Grade | Nominal Hardness (HBW) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| XAR 300 | ≥ 270 HBW | Lower abrasion resistance; good for medium wear |
| XAR 400 | ~370–430 HBW | Balanced wear resistance + formability |
| XAR 450 | ~420–480 HBW | Higher abrasion resistance |
| XAR 500 | ~470–530 HBW | Premium wear performance |
| XAR 600 | > 550 HBW | Ultra-high abrasion resistance |
| Source: Verified industrial steel data |
Mechanical Properties
Beyond hardness, XAR plates also exhibit high tensile and yield strengths, making them suitable for structural and wear-intensive applications:
XAR 400: Tensile ~1300 MPa, Yield ~1150 MPa, Elongation ≥ 12 %
XAR 450: Tensile ~1350 MPa, Yield ~1200 MPa, Elongation ≥ 10 %
XAR 500: Tensile ~1600 MPa, Yield ~1500 MPa, Elongation ≥ 9 %
This combination of strength and hardness gives XAR plates impact resistance along with surface wear resistance—critical in equipment where both abrasive wear and shock loads occur simultaneously.
Why Choose XAR Plates?
Here’s why XAR plates are preferred in heavy-duty industries:
✔ Exceptional Wear Resistance
The high Brinell hardness—especially in XAR 500 and XAR 600—translates to significantly reduced wear rates against abrasive materials like rock, ore, and aggregates.
✔ Strength and Toughness Combined
Unlike brittle hard steels, XAR plates maintain structural integrity under impact loads due to a tough core and engineered microstructure.
✔ Good Fabricability
XAR 400 and XAR 450 grades retain good weldability and cold formability, allowing easier fabrication for complex parts and assemblies.
Industrial Applications of XAR Plates
XAR plates are widely used in sectors where wear and abrasion can drastically reduce equipment life:
Mining & Earthmoving
Excavator bucket liners
Dragline shovel surfaces
Crusher wear parts
Conveyor system liners
These components are constantly exposed to abrasive rocks and ores, making high wear resistance essential.
Construction & Aggregate Handling
Bulldozer blades
Loader buckets
Chutes and hoppers
Dump truck bodies
Heavy aggregates and materials cause severe wear—XAR steels help extend service life.
Cement & Material Processing
Silo liners
Crushers and screens
Feed troughs
XAR plates resist both abrasion and impact, improving uptime and reducing replacement frequency.
Available Thickness & Form Factors
XAR plates are typically produced in a range of thicknesses to suit different load and wear conditions—commonly from 3 mm up to 100 mm or more depending on grade and application.
Higher hardness grades like XAR 600 may be supplied in limited thickness ranges due to the manufacturing and heat-treatment processes required for ultra-high hardness.
Selecting the Right Grade
Choosing the correct XAR grade depends on factors such as:
Severity of abrasion
Impact loads
Fabrication method
Operating temperature
Lower hardness grades (e.g., XAR 400) are easier to form and weld, while higher grades (XAR 500/XAR 600) offer maximum wear resistance where needed most.
Conclusion
XAR plates are engineered abrasion-resistant steels designed for maximum durability and performance in environments where wear and impact forces are relentless. By combining a hard outer surface with a tough internal structure, XAR steels help extend equipment life, reduce downtime, and lower maintenance costs across mining, construction, processing, and heavy equipment industries.