Steel NM500 · heat-treated state
Steel NM500 Q&T-THICK
Properties of the Q&T-THICK condition, compared with the other NM500 tempers.
Heavy plate where hardenability limits core hardness; choose for thick crusher/mill liners where surface hardness governs but toughness must stay usable.
What is NM500 Q&T-THICK?
NM500 Q&T-THICK is NM500 heat treated to Q&T-THICK — heavy plate where hardenability limits core hardness; choose for thick crusher/mill liners where surface hardness governs but toughness must stay usable. NM500 Q&T-THICK has a yield strength of 1,230 MPa (178 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,520 MPa (220 ksi) — stronger than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). NM500 Q&T-THICK has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Q&T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T-THICK is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,230 MPa (178 ksi), better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 94% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 9%, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of steel grades
NM500 Q&T-THICK properties
Typical room-temperature values for NM500 Q&T-THICK — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every NM500 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
NM500 Q&T-THICK has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
NM500 Q&T-THICK has a yield strength of 1,230 MPa (178 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,520 MPa (220 ksi) — stronger than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
NM500 Q&T-THICK is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
NM500 Q&T-THICK conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 58% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of NM500 Q&T-THICK takes about 29 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 53% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability5
NM500 Q&T-THICK's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other NM500 tempers and conditions
NM500 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the NM500 overview.
- Q&TDefaultStandard as-delivered NM500 wear plate, typically 6–40 mm; pick this for general abrasion liners and truck bodies.1,300 MPa yield · 50 HRC
- Q&T-THICKHeavy plate where hardenability limits core hardness; choose for thick crusher/mill liners where surface hardness governs but toughness must stay usable.1,230 MPa yield · 49 HRC
Working with NM500 Q&T-THICK
Is NM500 easy to machine?
Treat as ~50 HRC tool steel: rigid setup, CBN or coated carbide, low speed/high feed; drilling and tapping are impractical — use plasma/laser/waterjet holes with plenty of coolant to avoid a hardened cut edge.
Can NM500 be welded?
Use low-hydrogen consumables (often softer, ~500–700 MPa filler), preheat 150–200 °C (higher for >30 mm or high CEV), keep interpass below ~225 °C and heat input moderate; the HAZ softens and slow cooling is essential against hydrogen cracking.
Can NM500 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending only with generous radii (≈5–6× thickness transverse to rolling, 3–4× for thin gauge), bend axis preferably across the rolling direction; hot forming or stress-relief above ~200 °C irreversibly lowers hardness.
What surface finishes work on NM500?
Shot-blast and prime/paint or use as bare sacrificial wear surface; not anodizable, plating is avoided because of hydrogen-embrittlement risk at 50 HRC, and hard-facing overlay is a common repair route.
NM500 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CGB/T 24186 ladle analysis maximum | ≤ 0.38 | 0.32 |
| Si | ≤ 0.7 | 0.3 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.7 | 1.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.6 | 0.9 |
| Ni | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.35 |
| Bhardenability booster | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| TiN fixing for boron effectiveness | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.06 | 0.02 |
| V | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Altotal Al, deoxidation | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
NM500 Q&T-THICK — frequently asked
What is NM500 Q&T-THICK used for?
NM500 Q&T-THICK is typically used for mining chute and hopper liners, dump truck body liners, crusher and mill liners, bucket lips and cutting edges, excavator and loader wear plates and conveyor transfer point liners. In short: premium Chinese wear plate.
What is the yield strength of NM500 Q&T-THICK?
NM500 Q&T-THICK has a typical yield strength of 1,230 MPa (178 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,520 MPa (220 ksi) — stronger than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is NM500 Q&T-THICK easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Treat as ~50 HRC tool steel: rigid setup, CBN or coated carbide, low speed/high feed; drilling and tapping are impractical — use plasma/laser/waterjet holes with plenty of coolant to avoid a hardened cut edge.
Can NM500 Q&T-THICK be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Use low-hydrogen consumables (often softer, ~500–700 MPa filler), preheat 150–200 °C (higher for >30 mm or high CEV), keep interpass below ~225 °C and heat input moderate; the HAZ softens and slow cooling is essential against hydrogen cracking.
What surface finishes work on NM500 Q&T-THICK?
Shot-blast and prime/paint or use as bare sacrificial wear surface; not anodizable, plating is avoided because of hydrogen-embrittlement risk at 50 HRC, and hard-facing overlay is a common repair route.
Can NM500 Q&T-THICK be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending only with generous radii (≈5–6× thickness transverse to rolling, 3–4× for thin gauge), bend axis preferably across the rolling direction; hot forming or stress-relief above ~200 °C irreversibly lowers hardness.
What is the maximum service temperature of NM500 Q&T-THICK?
NM500 Q&T-THICK is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in NM500 Q&T-THICK?
Yes — NM500 Q&T-THICK is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- GB/T 24186 (NM series wear-resistant plate) (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- Abrasion-resistant 500 HBW plate datasheets (wear plate producers, AR500/HB500 class) — steel plate producers (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.