Advanced steel solution delivers superior durability in abrasive, corrosive, and high-heat industrial environments.
At SSAB, innovation in wear-resistant materials has taken a significant step forward with the development of Hardox® HiAce. Engineered for demanding industrial conditions, this advanced steel grade is designed to outperform conventional abrasion-resistant (AR) steels, stainless steels, and even ceramics in environments where abrasion, corrosion, and high temperatures intersect.
Hardox® HiAce delivers the same outstanding hardness, yield strength, and toughness as the well-established Hardox 450 wear plate, while introducing enhanced resistance to corrosive wear. The result is a versatile material capable of extending equipment lifespan and improving reliability in some of the most challenging operating environments.
Unlike traditional materials that typically perform well in only one area, Hardox® HiAce provides a balanced combination of key performance attributes. These include superior hardness and structural strength, resistance to corrosive wear mechanisms, reliable performance at elevated temperatures, and workshop-friendly fabrication that does not require specialized infrastructure.
Designed for Real-World Corrosive Wear
Industrial equipment operating in high- or low-pH environments often faces a complex mix of abrasion, impact, and chemical exposure. Acids, sulfates, ammonia, and salts can accelerate oxidation on steel surfaces, significantly increasing wear rates and reducing service life.
In such conditions, hardness alone is not enough. Materials must also withstand chemical degradation while maintaining structural integrity.
Hardox® HiAce was specifically developed to address this challenge. By combining high hardness with resistance to corrosive wear mechanisms, the steel enables equipment to maintain performance even in chemically aggressive environments.
Industries where these conditions are common include waste collection, pulp and paper processing, wood handling, recycling, mining, agriculture, and transportation.
Where Stainless Steel Falls Short
While stainless steels are known for their corrosion resistance, their relatively lower hardness can limit performance in abrasive environments. Once abrasion and impact enter the equation, stainless steel components may experience accelerated wear.
Testing conducted by SSAB demonstrated that Hardox® HiAce outperforms both AR 400 steel and S304 stainless steel in abrasive conditions with a pH level of four.
According to Jonas Allebert, Senior Wear Specialist at SSAB, the primary reason for this advantage lies in the material’s significantly higher hardness and resistance to denting.
In corrosive wear testing, Hardox® HiAce achieved up to 20% longer service life compared with stainless steel while showing no signs of pitting corrosion. The results also highlight its potential as a more cost-efficient alternative in applications where stainless steel has traditionally been used.
Long-Term Field Performance
Real-world validation of the material’s performance was conducted through a six-year field study involving a garbage truck operated by Swedish waste management company Allmiljö. In this trial, the truck’s flooring—previously made from S304 stainless steel—was replaced with Hardox® HiAce.
After six years of operation and more than 106,000 km (65,865 miles), inspections showed only 40% wear at the most exposed point. Importantly, there were no signs of pitting corrosion and the structural integrity of the floor remained intact.
Pitting corrosion is a common cause of leakage and expensive maintenance in garbage trucks using traditional AR steels. The use of Hardox® HiAce effectively eliminated this risk while significantly extending operational lifespan.
Performance in High-Temperature Environments
Another advantage of Hardox® HiAce is its ability to maintain mechanical performance at elevated temperatures. Conventional abrasion-resistant steels can rapidly lose hardness and wear resistance when exposed to heat spikes.
Hardox® HiAce, however, retains its properties at temperatures up to at least 400°C (752°F), providing a dependable thermal buffer and long-term operational stability.
Proven in Extreme Heat Applications
The material has already demonstrated its durability in high-temperature industrial processes at SSAB’s coke plant in Oxelösund. After red-hot coke exits coal furnaces, it is water-cooled and discharged onto sliding ramps while still extremely hot, creating a harsh environment where abrasion and moderate corrosion occur simultaneously.
When liner plates on one of the ramps required replacement, Hardox® HiAce was selected for its combined resistance to abrasion, impact, corrosion, and heat. After several months of operation, wear levels were even lower than expected.
Other high-temperature applications in steel mills include quenching wagons, cooling beds, slag tippers, and furnace inlet scrapers. Beyond steel production, Hardox® HiAce can also be used in asphalt plants for dryer drums and lifter plates, in cement plants for clinker cooler plates and liners, and in power plants for ash-handling systems and chain conveyors.
With its ability to withstand abrasion, corrosion, and heat simultaneously, Hardox® HiAce represents a significant advancement in wear-resistant steel technology setting a new benchmark for durability across multiple industrial sectors.
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