AR500 quenched and tempered bullet impact resistant ballastic armored steel plate
High strength armored steel
AR500 ARMORED STEEL is an alloyed, high strength quenched and tempered steel with a resistance against bullet impacts and the effects of blast waves. It is preferably used for light weight armored vehicles. Due to its performance the steel is used by the customers for civil and military protection systems.
Product description
Range of application
AR500 ARMORED STEEL is an alloyed, high strength quenched and tempered steel, with a hardness range of 480 – 530HBW in the delivery condition.
AR500 ARMORED STEEL can be supplied in the following dimensions:
| Thickness | ≥ 6mm ≤ 25mm |
| Width | ≥ 1,000mm ≤ 2,500mm |
| Length | ≥ 3,000mm ≤ 8,000mm |
On request, other dimensions can be agreed.
Chemical composition
For the ladle analysis, the following max. values in % are applicable:
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Ni | Mo |
| 0.32 | 0.50 | 1.20 | 0.015 | 0.005 | 2.00 | 3.70 | 0.70 |
Delivery condition
The plates are delivered in the quenched and tempered condition.
Mechanical and ballistic properties
Hardness
Brinell surface hardness at room temperature: 480 – 530 HBW
Tensile testing on transverse specimens at room temperature
| Minimum tensile strength Rm [MPa] | Minimim yield strength ReH [MPa] | Minimum elongation A5 % |
| 1,500 | 1,300 | 8 |
Charpy-V impact test
AR500 ARMORED STEEL offers impact energy values KV2 of 24 J at -40 °C (longitudinal and transverse to the rolling direction).
The specified minimum value is the average of 3 tests. Only one individual value may be below the minimum average value specified, provided that it is not less than 80 % of that value.
For plate thickness below 12 mm the Charpy-V-notch test can be carried out on Charpy-V-test pieces with reduced width, the minimum size of the sample shall not be less than 5 mm. The minimum specified value decreases proportional to the reduction of the section.
Properties under ballistic impacts
The properties under ballistic impacts have to be agreed.
Testing and documentation
Determination of the mechanical properties in the delivery condition per plate as rolled in ¼ plate width in accordance with ISO 404. The hardness test is carried out in accordance with ISO 6506-1. The tensile test is carried out on flat rectangular, transverse specimens in accordance with EN ISO 6892-1.
The impact test will be carried out on Charpy-V-longitudinal and transverse specimens in accordance with EN ISO 148-1.
The test results are documented in a certificate 3.1 in accordance with EN 10204. A bullet resistance test can be agreed upon.
Identification of plates
Unless otherwise agreed the marking is carried out via perforated steel stamps with at least the following information:
• steel grade (AR500 ARMORED STEEL)
• heat number
• number of mother plate and individual plate
• the manufacturer’s symbol
• inspector’s sign
Processing
The entire processing and application techniques are of fundamental importance to the reliability of the products made from this steel. The user should ensure that his design, construction and processing methods are aligned with the material, correspond to the state-of-the-art that the fabricator has to comply with and are suitable for the intended use. The customer is responsible for the selection of the material. The recommendations in accordance with EN 1011 should be observed. The much higher tensile properties of the armored steel comparing to other steels covered by the standard can lead to a higher crack probability while processing.
Welding and flame cutting
The heat input during welding and flame cutting can lead to a decrease in hardness in a small area adjacent to or in the weld seam. This can have an impact on the bullet resistance properties of AR500 ARMORED STEEL. The manufacturer is advised to take this into account in his design.
Forming
The material can be formed by cold bending, in spite of its high hardness. It is recommended that the flame cutting or shearing edges in the area of the bend should be grinded. The bending speed must be adjusted by the fabricator to the geometry of the processed parts.
Due to the high strength values of AR500 ARMORED STEEL in the quenched and tempered condition the spring-back phenomenon has to be taken into account while cold forming. During the processing, the necessary safety measures have to be taken, so that nobody will be exposed to a danger by a possible fracture of the work piece during the forming process.
Heat treatment
AR500 ARMORED STEEL is delivered in a heat treatment condition which is ready for assembly. Subsequent heat treatment above 200 °C impairs its ballistic properties and is therefore not permissible.
Machining
AR500 ARMORED STEEL is suitable for machining. In view of its high delivery hardness a lower cutting speed must be anticipated.
Tolerances
Unless otherwise agreed the following tolerances apply:
For the thickness in the range of -0 / +0.8 mm, for the width in the range -0 / +12 mm.
Tolerances for the lengths are as follow, values in mm:
| Length | < 4,000 | ≥ 4,000 < 6,000 | ≥ 6,000 ≤ 8,000 |
| Tolerance | -0 / +10 | -0 / +20 | -0 / +25 |
Unless otherwise agreed, the flatness tolerances will be in accordance with EN 10029, table 4, steel group H.
Smaller flatness tolerances may be agreed upon request.
Surface quality
Unless otherwise agreed, the indications in accordance with EN 10163-2, class A3, apply. Higher requirements may be agreed upon request.
Surface protection
Upon request the plates can be shot blasted and / or primer coated with a product at the manufacturer’s choice.
Ultrasonic testing
Unless otherwise agreed, indications be in accordance with EN 10160, class S2/E2 apply.
General note
If particular requirements, which are not covered in this material data sheet, are to be met by the steel due to its intended use ore processing, these requirements are to be agreed before placing the order
Production process
