Hardox Steel Thickness Chart
Application-based recommendations for dump bed steel thickness
Hardox Steel Thickness Comparison Chart
Comparing Hardox 450 vs 500 Tuf performance across different applications
| Application | Hardox 450 Standard Option | Hardox 500 Tuf Lightweight Option | Performance Comparison 500 Tuf vs Thicker 450 |
|---|---|---|---|
Aggregate Materials Sand, Dirt, #1 & Smaller Crushed Stone/Gravel | 3/16" Floor + 5/32" Walls Improved dent resistance | 5/32" Floor + 1/8" Walls ~18% lighter | 500 Tuf Better 500 Tuf provides ~7% better dent resistance plus 18% weight savings for increased payload |
Hot Asphalt Hot Mix, Paving Materials | 3/16" Floor + 5/32" Walls Field proven standard | 5/32" Floor + 1/8" Walls ~18% lighter | 500 Tuf Better 500 Tuf offers superior hardness and impact resistance while being 18% lighter |
Class I Rip Rap 6-12" Angular Rock (~125 lbs typical) | 3/16" Floor + 5/32" Walls Adequate for Class I | 5/32" Floor + 1/8" Walls ~18% lighter | 500 Tuf Better 500 Tuf's superior hardness fully compensates for thinner material, providing equal durability at 18% less weight |
Class II Rip Rap 12-18" Angular Rock (~350 lbs typical) | 1/4" Floor + 3/16" Walls For heavy impact resistance | 3/16" Floor + 5/32" Walls ~20% lighter (~750lbs extra payload) | Similar Performance 500 Tuf matches 450's durability with 20% weight reduction - higher hardness offsets thinner walls |
Class III Rip Rap 18-24"+ Angular Rock (~750 lbs typical) | 5/16" Floor + 1/4" Walls Heavy-duty specification | 1/4" Floor + 3/16" Walls ~23% lighter (~1150lbs extra payload) | Similar Performance 500 Tuf delivers equal protection with 23% weight savings - ideal for extreme impact while maximizing payload |
Construction Debris Demo Material, Broken Concrete, Mixed | 1/4" Floor + 3/16" Walls Some denting at 3/16" 1/4" for heavy use | 3/16" Floor + 5/32" Walls ~20% lighter (~750lbs extra payload) | 500 Tuf Better 500 Tuf's superior toughness handles sharp impacts better than 450, plus delivers 20% weight savings |
Aggregate Materials
Sand, Dirt, #1 & Smaller Crushed Stone/Gravel
Hot Asphalt
Hot Mix, Paving Materials
Class I Rip Rap
6-12" Angular Rock (~125 lbs typical)
Class II Rip Rap
12-18" Angular Rock (~350 lbs typical)
Class III Rip Rap
18-24"+ Angular Rock (~750 lbs typical)
Construction Debris
Demo Material, Broken Concrete, Mixed
Note: Technical specifications based on official SSAB data. Hardox® is a registered trademark of SSAB. Performance comparisons based on field testing and SSAB published data. This chart is for reference purposes only - actual performance may vary based on specific usage conditions, material handling practices, and operating environment.
Chart Legend & Performance Data
Hardox 450 Standard
Proven field performance with established thickness standards. Lower material cost per pound.
- Hardness: 425-475 HBW
- Yield Strength: 1100-1300 MPa (typical)
- Impact Energy: 50 J at -40°C (typical)
Hardox 500 Tuf Lightweight
Superior hardness and toughness allows thinner sections. Significant weight savings for more payload.
- Hardness: 475-505 HBW
- Yield Strength: 1250-1400 MPa (typical)
- Impact Energy: 27 J at -20°C (guaranteed)
45 J at -40°C (typical)
Performance Comparison
Field-tested comparison showing how thinner 500 Tuf performs vs thicker 450 standard.
- Weight savings: ~18% lighter body with 500 Tuf
- Service life: 500 Tuf offers 50% longer life vs 450 HBW steel
- Hardness advantage: 500 Tuf combines best of both grades
Professional Recommendations
💡 For Maximum Payload
Choose Hardox 500 Tuf for 18% weight savings without compromising durability. Ideal for operations where payload capacity is critical.
🔧 For Proven Performance
Select Hardox 450 for proven performance and reliability. Best for standard applications with established thickness requirements.
⚖️ For Extreme Applications
Large rip rap (Class III) requires specialized thickness regardless of steel grade. Contact our experts for heavy-duty specifications.
Get Expert Consultation
Our team has extensive experience in dump body fabrication. We'll help you choose the right steel thickness for your specific application.