For 2025 the XAR 400 plate remains a premium wear plate option with performance that often justifies a higher purchase price versus generic AR/NM grades; typical market prices range widely depending on origin, thickness, finish, order size, and delivery terms — rough market ranges run from about US$600–US$2,200 per metric tonne for commonly traded 400-HBW class plates, with branded European product pricing near the upper end and Chinese/commodity NM/AR plates near the lower end.
What XAR 400 is and who makes it
XAR is a trade name used for wear-resistant steel plates in the 400 hardness class. The brand originates from a major European steelmaker and is positioned as a high-toughness, formable abrasion steel. Technical product literature and manufacturer datasheets describe the XAR family as covering hardnesses and thicknesses that suit heavy earthmoving, truck bodies, crushers, and material handling equipment.
In commercial supply chains the XAR name is one recognized option among many proprietary brand names that indicate a guaranteed hardness and controlled toughness. Buyers should check the manufacturer stamped on the mill certificate to confirm exact provenance.
Chemical and mechanical profile that matters to buyers
Short, practical summary: a certified XAR 400 plate will show nominal hardness near 400 HBW with guaranteed toughness values in published datasheets; chemistry is tuned to provide abrasion resistance while keeping weldability and formability. Typical alloying elements that influence properties include carbon, manganese, chromium, nickel, and microalloy elements (niobium/vanadium) in controlled quantities; the mill certificate will list actual composition limits.
Important mechanical parameters buyers should demand:
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Hardness (HBW): targeted nominal 370–430 HBW for the 400 family.
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Yield and tensile values: used for design; these can vary by thickness and heat treatment.
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Charpy impact energy: certificates may guarantee minimum impact at a specified temperature.
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Elongation and bendability: critical for formed parts and welded structures.
When comparing certificates, pay attention to whether the plate was delivered in a quenched-and-tempered condition, normalized, or hot-rolled without further heat treatment. These process choices change toughness and wear behavior.
Fabrication and heat-treatment notes buyers must know
We recommend a simple set of shop rules that preserve the wear and toughness balance:
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Welding: Use matched filler metal and controlled preheat/post-weld heat treatment when plates are thick or when the job has heavy restraint. Follow the manufacturer’s welding recommendations printed in the product information.
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Cutting: Plasma and oxy-fuel cutting are common. Leave a small extra allowance for thermal damage if parts must be bent or impact-loaded after cutting.
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Bending/forming: XAR 400 has better cold formability than harder grades, though bend radius must match plate thickness and formable grade (if the mill identifies an “F” formable variant).
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Hardness after welding: Heat affected zones can soften or harden; check with small hardness maps if part life is critical.
These practical steps avoid premature cracking and retain the tribological advantages the buyer paid for.
Typical applications and expected service life
XAR 400 is used where moderate to heavy abrasive wear occurs but where impact toughness and formability remain necessary. Examples we see frequently in field service:
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Dump truck bodies and liners
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Bucket lips and teeth on excavators
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Crusher liners, conveyor chutes, hoppers
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Recycling and scrap handling equipment
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Agricultural and road maintenance tools
Service life depends more on wear mechanism (sliding, gouging, or erosion) and operating practice than on hardness alone. In common mining and quarry service, XAR 400 often multiplies wear life relative to mild steel by several times, which usually offsets higher initial purchase costs through lower downtime and fewer replacements. Manufacturer datasheets present typical application cases and recommended thicknesses.
How XAR 400 compares with Hardox 400, AR400, NM400 and other grades
Rather than list absolute winners, we compare practical tradeoffs:
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XAR 400 vs Hardox 400: Both target the 400 HBW range. Hardox is a widely recognized Swedish brand that emphasizes a consistent global supply network and documented toughness. XAR aims for a similar performance envelope with attention to cold formability. Brand premiums apply to both, based on commercial territory.
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XAR 400 vs AR400 (generic): Generic AR400 or NM400 plates are lower-cost commodity alternatives. They can perform well if sourced with reliable certificates and processing controls. However, branded plates often carry tighter control over toughness and traceability.
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XAR 400 vs NM400 (China): NM/NM400 plates from Chinese mills often offer the lowest unit price. For non-critical parts or for large volume wear linings where weldability and impact toughness demands are moderate, NM400 is frequently chosen. For highly stressed components, branded XAR/Hardox may offer longer life per kg installed.
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Thickness and heat treatment effects: Higher thickness and quench/temper processes shift the practical selection: sometimes moving to XAR 450 or 500 grades is better value for extremely abrasive service.
Use the comparison to pick the right balance of initial cost, life expectancy, and fabrication compatibility.
Global price overview (2025 market snapshot)
The numbers in this table represent market ranges for 400-hardness class plates in 2025. These ranges cover typical mill-to-warehouse ex-works or FOB quotes for small to medium orders (1–50 tonnes). Real contract pricing can fall outside these bands when buyers order tens to hundreds of tonnes, negotiate long-term supply, or commit to specific cutting/processing.
| Origin / Brand type | Typical 2025 price range (USD / metric tonne) | Typical notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese commodity (NM/AR equivalents) | $600 – $1,000 / t | Lowest unit price; variable certificate quality; common export choice. |
| Indian stockists / local mills (brand + commodity mix) | $700 – $1,100 / t | INR quotations vary; domestic supply chains influence price. |
| European brands (XAR / branded premium) | $1,200 – $2,200 / t | Higher per-tonne but stronger traceability and guaranteed properties. |
| SSAB Hardox (branded) | $1,300 – $2,200 / t (typical branded premium). | Branded chain and service add cost; datasheets and local distribution affect quote. |
| Imported to USA / Western markets (mixed origin) | $900 – $2,200 / t | Import duties, freight, and inventories cause spread. |
| Project / special processed plates (cut to size, welded assemblies) | $1,200 – $3,000+ / t | Processing, sub-assemblies, inspections add price. |
Notes on reading the table:
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The table presents indicative ranges only. For design budgeting assume the mid-point plus freight and duties. Shipping and packaging often add US$50–US$300 per tonne depending on the route and packing method.
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Branded European plates commonly command a premium due to mill test records, guaranteed toughness, and audited supply chains.
Key factors that controlled price in 2025 (what you should watch)
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Raw material costs: Nickel and chromium prices, scrap prices, and global steel billet trends. These inputs push base steel cost.
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Mill capacity and inventories: Tight inventory pushes quotes up; abundant inventory favors buyers.
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Brand and certification: Branded plates with full traceability cost more.
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Thickness and processing: Thick quenched plates or tight-tolerance flatness add cost.
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Heat treatment and special chemistries: Microalloy additions and extra processing stages increase per-tonne cost.
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Logistics, duties and documentation: Import duties, certificate legalization, and third-party testing add to total landed cost.
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Order size and payment terms: Bulk orders yield lower unit prices; deferred payment or L/C terms can affect supplier pricing strategy.
These are the levers we recommend negotiating when you request quotes.
Buying checklist and quality verification protocol we use
When we evaluate suppliers, we request this minimal packet and verify results independently:
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Mill test certificate (EN 10204 / 3.1 or 3.2) showing chemical composition, mechanical test results, heat treatment, hardness, and impact testing.
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Hardness map (if plate life is critical) showing surface and internal hardness checks.
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Third-party inspection (when contracts exceed threshold) including ultrasonic or radiography when requested.
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Welding and fabrication guidelines from the mill. These should be in printed form and specific to the plate grade and thickness.
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COO and commercial documentation: Certificate of Origin, packing list, and transport docs.
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Small acceptance tests: hardness checks in the shop and visual checks for surface delamination, laminations, and decarburization.
If any item is missing, we either reject the sample or require corrective action before shipment.
Logistics, lead times and common commercial terms to watch
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Typical lead times: small stock orders (from local warehouses) can ship in days; mill made orders or imported branded plates often take 4–12 weeks.
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Delivery terms: clarify INCOTERMS (FOB, CIF, EXW) and who pays for testing and duties.
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Inspection windows: insist on pre-shipment inspection windows and short acceptance time after delivery to avoid disputes.
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Packaging: heavy plates require sea-fast packing and blocking to avoid bending; inadequate packing can mean a rejected batch on arrival.
We always model landed cost (unit price + freight + duties + inspection + buffer) rather than headline price only.
Environmental, safety and recycling notes
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End-of-life value: wear plate has scrap value; segregate worn liners by alloy to maximize recycling returns.
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Worker safety: grinding or thermal cutting of high-hardness steels creates dust and fumes; local exhaust and PPE are mandatory.
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Regulatory compliance: ensure supplier documentation matches destination country requirements for chemical content reporting where relevant.
Sustainability credentials increasingly play a role in procurement decisions for larger buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Q1 — Is XAR 400 always better than NM400?
Short answer: not always. For critical, high-impact, high-traceability applications, XAR 400 typically gives longer life and fewer unexpected failures. For low-risk liners or where budget dominates, NM400 is often the better economic choice. Check toughness certificates and field case histories before choosing.
Q2 — How should I compare vendor quotes?
Compare landed cost and required certification. Include any extra machining, welding, testing, and freight. Ask for sample mill certificates and compare guaranteed impact values and hardness ranges.
Q3 — How much does thickness change price?
Significantly. Thicker plates require different rolling and heat-treat cycles and cost more per tonne in production and freight. Very thick quenched plates may move you into a special product bracket.
Q4 — Can XAR 400 be welded and formed on site?
Yes, with correct procedures. Use matched welding consumables, monitor preheat when necessary, and follow mill welding guidance. Formable variants exist for smaller bend radii; confirm with the vendormill whether the sheet supplied is a formable grade.
Q5 — What inspection should I perform on receipt?
Check documentation first (MTC). Do a visual check for surface defects, sample hardness checks, and verify certificate values against stamped identity numbers on plates. For critical parts, perform sample UT or radiography per contractual terms.
