What is the difference between AR steel and mild steel?

Beyond Hardness: Why AR Steel Outperforms Mild Carbon for Wear Applications.

The good thing about customizable process flow systems for bulk material handling is the freedom to make sure the equipment is a perfect fit.

The tricky part is figuring out the perfect fit.

With so many options, it gets overwhelming if you aren't an expert. It's like standing in the toothpaste aisle deciding between hundreds of brands.

Let's make it simpler and look at one aspect of the decision process:

Should you use mild carbon steel, abrasion-resistant (AR) steel or a form of stainless steel for your gates, valves and diverters?

Carbon Steel

Mild Carbon Steel

Mild carbon steel is characterized by its relatively low carbon content, typically ranging from $0.05%$ to $0.25%$ by weight. The upside of mild carbon steel is it's stronger and harder than other forms of steel. This comes in handy if you're dealing with mild to moderately abrasive materials or high temperatures.

However, mild carbon steel is more susceptible to rusting and corrosion if exposed to heavy moisture. It's strength and hardness also mean it's less malleable than other steels – making it more likely to crack when under extreme stress.

Mild carbon steel is a great choice if you handle dry and non-corrosive materials (such as grains, rice, frac sand, etc.) and the surrounding area of your plant doesn't have a lot of moisture

For example, mild carbon steel is a good choice if you run a rice plant in California or a grains facility in Colorado.

Abrasion-resistant steel

Abrasion-resistant steel is a high-carbon steel that's been hardened. AR steels feature the strength from adding carbon along with a resistance to oxidization from added alloys.

This combination yields a steel with immense surface hardness (235-550 BHN vs. Mild Steel's 130-160 BHN). It prioritizes wear life and hardness over mild steel's superior malleability and structural integrity. Not quite as resistant to rusting as stainless steel, but also stronger and harder.

How much is it AR steel hardened?

Well, on the Brinell scale – which measures the hardness of steel, with the higher the number meaning the harder it is – mild carbon (130-160BHN) and stainless steel (160-200BHN) are relatively similar. AR steel tends to come in between 235-550BHN.

AR steels are a great choice to build a gate, valve or diverter if you deal with high abrasive, low corrosive materials.

This could be a solid option if, for example, you run a quarry in Indiana or handle cement in Minnesota.

The Most Important Thing: Stop Guessing Your Material

While the hardness data is clear (AR steel is significantly harder and more durable) , selecting the perfect material involves balancing abrasion, corrosion, temperature, and fabrication cost. A one-size-fits-all approach is a recipe for disaster.

PROMISTEEL understands this complexity. That's why we custom-order and process our materials only after a thorough analysis of your facility's unique needs.

Collaborate with Promisteel's metallurgical experts today. We will match your bulk material handling application with the precise AR or Carbon Steel solution to maximize equipment lifespan and minimize downtime. Let us help you find the perfect fit.