Hardox HiAce

New Hardox HiAce meets wear challenges in acid environments

Hardox HiAce is the latest product in the range, targeted at applications in acidic and corrosive environments. The recycling business poses particular challenges to steel. Municipal solid waste, often referred to simply as garbage, is one example of a material that creates a low pH acidic environment that accelerates wear in garbage truck bodies and refuse containers. Other conditions that have the same effect are when transporting wood chips and if chemicals such as sulfates and chlorides are present.

Hardox HiAce has been developed to withstand these conditions. At low pH levels, the wear mechanism is different than in a more pH-neutral environment. The acidity oxidizes the steel’s surface, making it more prone to wear even if the body or container is made with a hard material.

Hardox HiAce introduces new opportunities to fight acidity and corrosion

Hardox HiAce drastically slows down the oxidation process, allowing the full hardness of the material to counteract wear. In a regular environment, Hardox HiAce will perform the same as a 450 HBW steel. But in conditions with lower pH levels, the equipment service life is up to 3 times longer compared to a 400 HBW steel.

Apart from the additional wear resistance in acidic environments, Hardox HiAce has the toughness it takes to perform as a structural material in garbage trucks, recycling containers, tipper and dump bodies and other heavy-duty equipment.

Hardox HiAce also works in freezing conditions, with a guaranteed impact energy of 27 J at -20 °C (20 ft-lb at -4°F). It is available in thicknesses of 4-25.4 mm (5/32 - 1 in.). Hardox HiAce has similar mechanical properties as Hardox 450. It can be processed by the same kind of machinery used for other Hardox grades.

Hardox HiAce for more payload, less fuel and reduced CO2 emissions

The increased wear resistance in garbage trucks and other equipment allows for the use of thinner plate without jeopardizing the service life. Thinner steel plate means more payload when fully loaded. And when traveling empty, a lower-weight truck saves on fuel and reduces CO2 emissions.

Mechanical Properties

Wall Thickness(mm)	Hardness ¹⁾ (HBW)	Typical Yield Strength (MPa) not guaranteed
4.0 - 25.4	425 - 475	1250

¹⁾ Brinell hardness, HBW, according to EN ISO 6506-1, on a milled surface 0.5 – 3 mm below surface. At least one test specimen per heat and 40 tons.
The nominal thickness of supplied plates will not deviate more than +/- 15 mm from the thickness of the test specimen used for hardness testing.

Hardox® plate is through-hardened. The minimum core hardness is 90 % of the guaranteed minimum surface hardness.

Impact Properties

Grade	Transverse test, impact energy, Charpy V 10x10 mm test specimen.
Hardox HiAce	27 J/ -20

¹⁾Impact testing is performed on thicknesses ≥ 6 mm. For thicknesses between 6 - 11.9 mm, sub-size Charpy V-specimens are used. The specified minimum value is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the test specimen, compared to a full-size specimen (10 x 10 mm). Impact testing according to ISO EN 148 per heat and thickness group. Average of three tests.

²⁾ Single value minimum 70% of specified average.

Tolerances

Tolerances
More details are given in SSAB’s brochure 41: General Product Information Strenx, Hardox, Armox and Toolox-UK and Hardox Guarantees or at www.ssab.com.

Thickness
Tolerances are according to Hardox® Thickness Guarantees. Hardox Guarantees meet the requirements of EN 10 029 Class A.

Length and Width
Tolerances are according to SSAB’s dimension program. The tolerances are according to SSAB´s mill edge standard or tolerances that conform to EN 10 029.

Shape
Tolerances are according to EN 10 029.

Flatness
Tolerances are according to Hardox Flatness Guarantees Class D, which are more restrictive than EN 10 029.

Surface Properties
According to EN 10 163-2, Class A Subclass 1.

Bending
Bending for Hardox® HiAce are according to Hardox® Bending Guarantees Class E.

Chemical Composition

Chemical Composition (heat analysis)

C*⁾ (max %)	Si*⁾ (max %)	Mn*⁾ (max %)	P (max %)	S (max %)	Cr*⁾ (max %)	Ni*⁾ (max %)	Mo*⁾ (max %)	B*⁾ (max %)
0.26	0.70	1.60	0.025	0.010	5.1	1.5	0.60	0.005

The steel is grain refined. ^*) Intentional alloying elements.

Carbon Equivalent CET(CEV)

Wall Thickness (mm)	4.0 - 25.4
Max CET(CEV)	0.41(1.03)
Typ CET(CEV)	0.38(0.99)

Carbon Equivalent CET(CEV)

Delivery Conditions

Order & delivery
The delivery condition is Q or QT (Quenched or Quenched and Tempered). Hardox® HiAce is delivered with sheared or thermally cut edges.

Delivery requirements can be found in SSAB’s brochure 41: General product information Strenx, Hardox, Armox and Toolox®-UK or at www.ssab.com.