Don’t Confuse A514 or T-1® Steel with Wear Resistant Steel
The majority of excavator buckets are made of A514 or T-1 ® steel.
This week we are providing additional information because most data on several steel websites are not only inaccurate, a few are outright misleading.Here is information on A514 steel:
A514 is an ASTM / AISI standard steel grade. Anyone can make and sell A514 steel, as long as they meet the standard minimum requirements.
514 is a conventional quenched and tempered alloy steel plate designed for structural applications.
You’ll see this sticker on many semi-trailer frames. This is because the A514 or T-1 steel has 100,000 ksi tensile strength. If you weld these steels with a standard 7018 welding rod or 70S-6 solid welding wire, the 70,000 ksi strength of the weld results in a 30,000 KSI weak point. On a vehicle designed to carry over 40,000 pound loads daily, you may create structural problems.
NEARLY EVERY PIECE OF MINING AND AGGREGATE EQUIPMENT USES A514 OR T-1 FOR THE MAIN STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK.
A514 Is Available In Different Grades
When you search online for A514 steel, you will discover it is available in a variety of chemistry grades: B, E, F, H, P, and Q.
The reason A514 or T-1 steel has different grades, is determined by the alloy content required to deliver the same mechanical properties of A514 or T-1 steel. Different chemistry ratios are required for the various alloys based on the steel thickness.
Heat Treating Differences Determine Wear Resistant Vs. Structural Steels
It is important to note most of A514, T-1 and the various grades of AR400, AR450, etc., contain many of the same alloy elements.
However the heat treat process is dramatically different. T-1 and A514 are tempered at close to 900° F to achieve 100,000 ksi strength. They were not developed as wear resistant steel; but were designed for structural purposes.
JADCO QT-PLUS ® was developed specifically for wear resistant properties, and is tempered about 450° F. While the resulting strength is 225,000 ksi, it is not designed or recommended for structural applications.
Get additional information on T-1 steel.
T-1 Steel
T-1 steel was originally developed by the U.S. Steel Corporation. the International Steel Group Inc. have been a licensee of T-1 steels from USS sine 1959. In 2003, ArcelorMittal USA (now Cleveland Cliffs) purchased the plate assets of USS, which included a special license to the intellectual property rights to the ‘T-1’ trademark.
NOTE: The product name ‘T-1’ is not part of ASTM or AISI standards numbering system.
Here is why there is often confusion about using T1 steel in abrasion resistant application.
Other vendors offer A514/T1 steel. Notice THIS T1 does not use the hyphen as the US Steel product does. They list this product for the following applications:
- BUILDING FRAMES
- BRIDGE FRAMES
- STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
- EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT
- MINING EQUIPMENT
- TRUCK FRAMES TRANSPORT VEHICLE FRAMES
- STORAGE CONTAINER SUPPORT FRAMES
- BOOMS (LATTICE & TELESCOPIC)
All of these applications require high strength and ductility, which is why A514 was designed.
You Should Notice Abrasion Or Impact Resistance Is Not Listed. This is because they were not designed for those applications.
One company lists an Abrasion-Resistant “T1” Plate. The hardness is listed between 321 BHN to 360 BHN; or 35 to 39 Rockwell C for this product.
For comparison the target hardness for JADCO QT-PLUS ® is 500 BHN or 51.1 Rockwell C. Combine the greater hardness for abrasion resistance performance increase, with the fact that JADCO QT-PLUS ® has the same hardness throughout the entire thickness of the steel.
They also list this disclaimer in their information:
It should be noted that the abrasion-resistant “T1” steels do not comply with mechanical property requirements of ASTM A514. It is not the same material, purposely confusing you.
QT-PLUS ® wear plates were selected for the inside and outside of this bucket by Wear Parts and Equipment to deliver the longest lasting equipment life. Isn’t it time you experienced the difference JADCO can make in your equipment?
JADCO’s QT-PLUS ® delivers greater wear performance IN YOUR APPLICATIONS than the A514 or AR400 wear steel you have previously used.
Having the ability to create wear resistant steel with the same hardness through the entire thickness, requires precisely controlled alloy chemistry and careful heat treating.
Why Doesn’t Every Steel Company Make Their Products Last As Long As JADCO QT-PLUS ® ?
This attention to detail from the steel mill in Pennsylvania actually is available to anyone. Yet most steel wear plate distributors choose to limit the proper quantities of these essential elements with the goal of a lower price.
They are planning to sell you more of the same in a few months, robbing more of your profits.
For the last 40 years we have focused exclusively on delivering consistent, longer life for our customers.
This excavator bucket uses JADCO QT-PLUS ® For the bottom and side wear liners.
Now you understand why we deliver better results for our customers. We think differently by focusing only on your results.
Allow us to help you today by emailing us at info@jadcomfg.com or calling (724) 452-5252.
We will schedule a meeting with one of our local wear plate specialists at a time that best fits your schedule.
Remember, the only thing you have to lose by not working with JADCO, are your profits.
When your wear plate gives out, give JADCO a shout!
