400 HB steel is over 3 times harder than mild steel (120HB), but only a third as hard as stainless steel (1250HB). Example uses are for construction machinery, skips, bulldozers and excavators, buckets and conveyors.
The steel is quenched which provides Boiler Quality resistance; in order to improve hardness it may also be tempered. Lower HB's generally provide good cold bending properties and good weld ability. Weld ability is not generally reduced as the hardness increases.
Boiler Quality steels is not appropriate for use at temperatures over 2500C as the heat can cause changes to the material properties.
Testing is undertaken by firing 10mm steel or tungsten carbide ball at 29kN and the size of the resulting indentation is measured. Tests are carried out according to EN ISO 6506 or ASTM E10. The figures below are representative of 15mm thick 400HB and 500HB plates. |