We are pleased to present our detailed analysis of the Hardox 400 steel plate price landscape for 2025. Hardox 400 remains one of the most widely specified abrasion-resistant steels, offering an excellent balance of hardness, toughness and formability.
Overview of Hardox 400
Hardox 400 is part of SSAB’s renowned Hardox® family, characterized by a nominal Brinell hardness of 400 HBW and deep-through hardness from surface to core. We’ve reviewed the global top-10 Google results to extract key data on pricing, specifications and applications, then enriched the coverage with additional technical and commercial insights.
Material Characteristics
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Abrasion Resistance: Hardox 400 is engineered to resist moderate wear environments, achieving a Brinell hardness range of 370–430 HBW.
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Toughness & Ductility: Thanks to controlled quenching and tempering, it offers typical yield strength of 1 100 MPa while retaining good ductility.
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Weldability: Standard welding procedures apply; pre-heat and post-weld heat treatment are rarely required for thicknesses below 25 mm.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Hardox 400 Plate (4–130 mm) |
|---|---|
| Brinell Hardness (HBW) | 370–430 |
| Yield Strength (σ<sub>Y</sub>) | ~1 100 MPa |
| Tensile Strength (σ<sub>UTS</sub>) | 1 200–1 400 MPa |
| Elongation (A<sub>5</sub>) | ≥10 % |
Chemical Composition
Typical composition (wt %):
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Ni | Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.30 | 0.20 | 1.50 | ≤0.030 | ≤0.020 | 1.50 | 0.80 | 0.50 |
Note: Exact alloying may vary slightly by mill certificate.
Manufacturing Process
We source Hardox 400 from certified SSAB melted plates. The production involves:
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Melting & Casting: Controlled vacuum oxygen decarburization (VOD) to minimize inclusions.
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Hot Rolling: Achieving final gauge before quenching.
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Quenching & Tempering: Two-stage heat treatment to develop through-hardness and toughness.
Comparative Analysis: Hardox 400 vs Other Grades
| Grade | Hardness (HBW) | Toughness | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardox 400 | 370–430 | Very good | Chutes, buckets, liners |
| Hardox 450 | 430–480 | Good | Higher abrasion, lighter weight |
| Hardox 500 | 470–530 | Moderate | Severe wear, mining tools |
| AR400 (generic) | 360–440 | Good | Cost-sensitive applications |
Key Applications
We find Hardox 400 excels in:
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Dump truck bodies & buckets
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Crusher liners & hoppers
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Conveyor chutes & wear liners
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Agricultural equipment
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Recycling & demolition machinery
Pricing Factors
Several parameters drive the final plate cost:
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Raw material swings: Scrap and alloy surcharges.
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Thickness & plate size: Larger plates attract lower premium.
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Value-added services: Laser cutting, beveling, painting or drilling.
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Logistics: Delivery location, container consolidation.
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Certification: Mill test reports, NDT.
Global Price Comparison
Based on recent industry reports and supplier quotes, we summarize regional pricing as follows:
| Region | Price Range (USD/ton) |
|---|---|
| China | 700–900 (ZGT Steel: $700–900) |
| USA | 750–900 (LeeCo Steel example: $800/ton) |
| India | 650–800 (Made-in-China RFQs: US$500–2000 but typical 650–800) |
| Europe | 900–1 100 (premium region, includes SSAB distribution) |
| Global Avg | ~900 |
Note: Prices exclude VAT/GST, duty, and inland freight.
Supply Chain and Distribution
At Luokaiwei, we maintain:
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Three production hubs across China, each bonded to export zones.
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Logistics partnerships for FCL/LCL and express.
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Inventory buffers of standard sizes (4 × 8 m, 4 × 10 m) in key ports.
Customization and Services by Luokaiwei
We offer:
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Custom laser/plasma cutting up to 25 mm thickness.
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CNC beveling for weld-preps.
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Coating options: primer, epoxy, or anti-spatter.
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Kitting & assembly: sub-component delivery.
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Technical support: joint design reviews.
Inventory and Lead Times
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Stock plates (≤20 mm): 1–2 weeks from order.
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Mill-order (>20 mm): 3–5 weeks.
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Custom services: add 3–7 days.
Quality Assurance and Certifications
We comply with:
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ISO 9001:2015 quality management.
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EN 10163 surface tolerance.
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AWS D1.1 welding standards.
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Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1).
All batches undergo ultrasonic or magnetic particle inspection on request.
Environmental Considerations
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Fossil-free steel options via SSAB’s HYBRIT process.
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Recyclable at end-of-life with ≥ 95 % recovery.
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Lightweight designs reduce fuel consumption.
Conclusion
We believe the 2025 pricing environment balances relatively stable alloy surcharges with healthy raw-material supply. Hardox 400 remains a cost-effective AR steel, especially when sourced directly at factory prices through Luokaiwei, where we guarantee 100 % mill pricing advantages and rapid delivery.
Global Price Comparison Table
| Region | Typical Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|
| China | 700–900 |
| USA | 750–900 |
| India | 650–800 |
| Europe | 900–1 100 |
| Global Avg | ≈ 900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What distinguishes Hardox 400 from generic AR400?
We find that Hardox 400 is certified by SSAB with guaranteed through-hardness, whereas AR400 may vary by mill. -
Can Hardox 400 be welded without pre-heat?
Yes, up to 25 mm thickness standard procedures apply; above that, a 50 °C pre-heat is recommended. -
How does thickness affect price?
Thinner plates (< 10 mm) often carry a lower per-ton premium due to mill rolling efficiencies. -
Is fossil-free Hardox 400 available?
SSAB offers fossil-free variants through the HYBRIT project, subject to availability. -
What customization turnaround can Luokaiwei provide?
Standard laser cutting and beveling add 3–7 days; accelerated services are possible for urgent runs.
