Choosing the Right Steel: AR400 vs Mild Steel Explained

As reported by The Piping Mart Blog in their article “AR400 Steel vs Mild Steel – What’s the Difference”, selecting the appropriate type of steel is crucial for performance and cost-efficiency, particularly in industries such as mining, construction, and manufacturing. The article highlights the importance of understanding the differences in hardness, abrasion resistance, and machinability between AR400 and mild steel to make informed project decisions.
AR400 Steel: Hardness and Durability
AR400 steel is renowned for its superior hardness, ranging from 360 to 444 BHN, making it resistant to wear and abrasion. This strength makes it ideal for heavy-duty applications such as mining machinery, construction equipment, and agricultural tools. However, its hardness also makes it more challenging to machine and weld, requiring specialized tools and techniques for effective handling.
Mild Steel: Versatility and Ease of Fabrication
In contrast, mild steel typically has a hardness of 100 to 150 BHN, offering greater flexibility, ease of machining, and cost-effectiveness. It is widely used for structural components, automotive manufacturing, and general fabrication. Its lower hardness makes it more suitable for applications where forming, welding, and shaping are critical.
Key Application Differences
AR400 Steel: Suitable for high-wear environments like excavator buckets, dump truck liners, and plow blades.
Mild Steel: Ideal for structural beams, automotive frames, and non-abrasive environments such as grain storage or household furniture.
Machinability and Weldability
While AR400 requires slower cutting speeds, carbide tools, and specialized cooling methods due to its hardness, mild steel allows for standard machining processes with higher cutting speeds and less tool wear.
Choosing between AR400 and mild steel depends on the specific operational demands, such as exposure to abrasion, impact, and the ease of fabrication required for the project.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of thepipingmart.com.