SSAB Introduces Hardox HiAce Steel for Corrosive Wear

Wear-resistant steel for corrosive and high-temperature environments
In many industrial sectors, equipment components operate in environments where abrasion, corrosion, and elevated temperatures occur simultaneously. These combined stresses accelerate material degradation and shorten the service life of conventional abrasion-resistant steels.

SSAB has developed Hardox HiAce, a wear-resistant steel designed to address this challenge. The material maintains the hardness, yield strength, and toughness typical of Hardox 450 wear plate, while improving resistance to corrosive wear and maintaining mechanical performance in temperatures up to 400°C (752°F).

Hardox HiAce is intended for equipment operating in chemically aggressive and abrasive conditions, where traditional abrasion-resistant steels or stainless steels often struggle to maintain long service life.

Addressing corrosive wear mechanisms
In industrial environments containing acids, salts, ammonia, or sulfates, steel surfaces can oxidize, accelerating wear when combined with abrasion and mechanical impact. This process—known as corrosive wear—can significantly reduce equipment durability.

Hardox HiAce was engineered to address this combined degradation mechanism. While high hardness improves resistance to abrasion, the material’s microstructure and alloy design help maintain structural integrity when exposed to corrosive environments.

Typical applications include equipment used in:

These industries often expose equipment to both abrasive materials and chemically aggressive conditions.

Performance compared with stainless and AR steels
Stainless steels generally perform well in purely corrosive environments, but their lower hardness can limit wear resistance when abrasion or impact occurs. This can shorten service life in applications where materials such as sand, gravel, or waste materials create continuous mechanical wear.

According to testing conducted by SSAB, Hardox HiAce demonstrated improved performance compared with stainless steel S304 and AR 400 steel under abrasive conditions with a pH level of 4.

The material achieved:

This combination allows the steel to provide both wear resistance and corrosion protection in applications where stainless steel alone may not be sufficient.




Long-term field performance in waste collection equipment
SSAB also conducted a six-year field evaluation in cooperation with the Swedish waste management company Allmiljö. In this application, Hardox HiAce replaced stainless steel S304 as the flooring material in a garbage truck.

After 106,000 km of operation, inspection results showed:

Pitting corrosion is a common problem in garbage trucks using conventional abrasion-resistant steels, often leading to leakage and costly maintenance. The test indicated that Hardox HiAce can significantly extend service life in such environments.

Thermal stability in high-temperature applications
In addition to corrosive wear resistance, Hardox HiAce maintains mechanical performance at temperatures up to 400°C (752°F). Conventional abrasion-resistant steels can lose hardness and wear resistance when exposed to elevated temperatures or repeated thermal spikes.

Hardox HiAce is therefore suitable for equipment operating in hot process environments, including steel production facilities and high-temperature industrial plants.

At SSAB’s Oxelösund steel mill, the material has been used as liner plates on ramps transporting hot coke discharged from coal furnaces. The combination of heat, abrasion, and mild chemical exposure creates a demanding operating environment. After several months of use, wear levels were reported to be lower than expected.

Other applications in steel production may include:

Applications in high-temperature industrial processes
Beyond steel manufacturing, Hardox HiAce can also be used in other industrial processes involving abrasive materials and elevated temperatures, such as:

These applications benefit from materials that maintain hardness and wear resistance despite thermal cycling and abrasive loads.

Hardox HiAce at Conexpo 2026
SSAB will present Hardox HiAce and other Hardox wear-resistant steel grades at Conexpo 2026, where visitors can discuss material selection and wear challenges with company specialists.

The exhibition takes place in Central Hall, Booth 20068, where the company will demonstrate how advanced wear-resistant steels can improve equipment durability in corrosive and high-temperature industrial environments.

www.ssab.com