Hardox 400 Price per kg (2025)

As of mid-2025 a realistic, market-aware range for Hardox® 400 (brand-grade wear-resistant plate) is about $0.60–$2.00 per kilogram for widely traded plate sizes when quoted ex-works or FOB (i.e., US$600–US$2,000 per metric tonne). Exact figures depend strongly on plate thickness, finish, country of origin (SSAB branded vs. Chinese equivalents such as NM400), quantity, delivery terms and global steel cycles.

What is Hardox® 400?

Hardox® 400 is a proprietary brand of abrasion-resistant steel produced by SSAB, designed to combine relatively high hardness (~400 HBW) with favorable toughness, weldability and formability for components subject to moderate to severe wear (dump bodies, buckets, chutes, liners, screens). The grade is produced and sold as plate in many thicknesses (commonly 3–130 mm). For purchasing decisions the important facts are: it is a premium product (branded, quality-assured), its wear life often justifies paying more per kg versus generic AR steels, and price must be evaluated against life-cycle cost rather than raw kg cost alone.

Standards, testing and authoritative specs (why this matters)

• Hardness measurement: Hardox hardness is expressed in Brinell hardness (HBW), measured in accordance with international Brinell standards such as ISO 6506. Brinell procedure, indenter sizes and reporting conventions matter when comparing numbers from different mills.

• Product documentation: SSAB publishes datasheets and technical product programs for Hardox® 400 giving guaranteed mechanical properties, thickness ranges and recommended welding/forming practices — always ask for the current SSAB datasheet with any branded quote.

• Relevant manufacturing/plate standards: General requirements for rolled plates are typically referenced to standards like ASTM A6/A6M or applicable EN standards in transactions — buyers should specify the appropriate standard and any supplementary requirements.

Practical takeaway: When you compare prices, always require (1) the current product datasheet, (2) a hardness certificate (HBW) referencing ISO/ASTM test method, and (3) chemical/impact test results for the lot.

How price is quoted (units and terms that change the “per-kg” label)

Raw plate price language confuses buyers because suppliers quote in different units and terms:

• Common units: USD per metric tonne (t), USD per hundredweight (CWT) in North America, or USD per kilogram. Convert by dividing tonne price by 1,000 to get per-kg.

• Incoterms: Ex-works (EXW), FOB, CIF, DDP — each adds transportation, insurance, duties. Ex-works/FOB are the usual “factory” references; CIF includes freight and insurance; DDP includes door delivery and duties and inflates the delivered per-kg cost.

• Product form and finish: Slab vs. plate, cut-to-size vs. full plate, edge treatment, shot-blasting, and protective coatings add cost. Thickness matters: thin gauges (≤6 mm) and very thick plates (>50 mm) can carry premium pricing due to processing.

• Quantity & lead time: Small orders (a few tonnes) attract higher per-kg pricing; long lead times or spot buys may be more expensive than contract volumes.

Rule of thumb: When someone states “Hardox 400 price per kg” confirm the incoterm, thickness, dimensional tolerance, minimum order quantity and whether the price is for branded SSAB material or generic NM/AR equivalents (Chinese NM400, for example). Market listings from trade platforms frequently show wide ranges precisely because many of these parameters vary.

Five-year market price table (2021–2025)

Methodology note: Hardox® 400 is a branded premium; exact historical branded SSAB price series are not publicly listed. To create a transparent, widely usable historical table we combine: (a) general flat steel / hot-rolled benchmarks (TradingEconomics / SteelBenchmarker) as a macro proxy, (b) observed marketplace and distributor quotes for AR plates and NM400/AR400 equivalents (Alibaba, Made-in-China), and (c) manufacturer commentary (SSAB Annual Report). The table shows indicative ex-works/FOB ranges per tonne and per kg for standard plate sizes (mid-gauge 6–20 mm); use ranges rather than single numbers. Values are USD.

How to read the table: These ranges reflect market reality where a branded SSAB plate supplied via local distributor to an OEM will be priced near the top of the range, while commodity NM400/AR400 plates from regional mills (especially Chinese or other Asian producers) will appear near the bottom. Freight, duties and service processing are excluded (EXW or FOB basis).

Global price snapshot for 2025

Below are practical, region-level indicative 2025 mid-year per-kg ranges for commonly traded Hardox® 400 or equivalent AR400 plates (EXW/FOB basis). These ranges reflect reported marketplace listings and general steel price indices — always validate with live quotes.

• Europe (SSAB/European mills): $1.10 – $2.00 / kg (premium SSAB branded plates generally at higher end).

• North America (distributors & domestic mills): $0.95 – $1.80 / kg (depending on mill & domestic content).

• China (domestic OEMs, NM400 equivalents): $0.50 – $0.95 / kg (very competitive, large MOQ often required).

• India & South Asia: $0.55 – $1.10 / kg (local mills + imports; variability depending on duty regimes).

• Middle East & North Africa: $0.70 – $1.50 / kg (mix of imports and local processing).

• Latin America: $0.80 – $1.60 / kg (smaller markets, higher transport/duty premiums).

Context: The lowest numbers typically reflect generic AR plate (NM400/AR400) rather than certified SSAB Hardox® 400. SSAB’s branded product carries quality guarantees and traceability (warranties, guaranteed transverse toughness, guaranteed hardness band) — an important factor for critical OEM applications.

Key price drivers for Hardox 400

1. Raw materials: Iron ore, scrap, alloying elements (Cr, Ni, Mo, B, Mn, C) and energy inputs strongly influence mill production costs. Commodity indices and metallurgical scrap markets matter.

2. Brand premium: SSAB Hardox carries a premium due to validated performance, guaranteed properties and global support — this can be 10–40% or more over generic equivalents.

3. Thickness & dimensions: Very thin or very thick plates cost more per kg; mid-range thicknesses are most economical. Plates that require flatness tolerances, edge milling or special QA carry extra fees.

4. Processing & value-adds: Cutting, CNC profiling, welding prep, heat treatment, shot-blasting, coatings, and certified testing raise total cost.

5. Logistics & Incoterm: Sea freight volatility and port congestion increase CIF/DDP delivered costs; ex-works quotes are lower but put transport risk on buyer.

6. Supply & demand cycles: Mining constraints, rebuild cycles in construction/mining, and OEM demand for durability cause cyclical swings. SSAB’s statements in 2024 referenced demand for special steels impacting margins.

7. Trade policy and duties: Anti-dumping measures, local content rules and import tariffs can materially alter landed cost in different markets.

Market outlook: 2025–2035 (5–10 year trend analysis)

Base case (most likely, 2025–2030):

• Moderate cyclicality with structural demand for wear-resistant steels supported by renewable energy infrastructure, mining automation, and heavier equipment lifespan optimization. As OEMs prioritize life-cycle cost, branded wear plates (Hardox) should retain price resilience. Expect modest annual real price growth (inflation-adjusted): ~0–3% p.a., with upside risk from alloy shortages or energy price shocks.

Upside scenario:

• If global mining investment and heavy equipment cycles expand faster than capacity additions, premium wear steels could see stronger price gains (5%+ p.a.). Supply chain disruptions or energy policy changes (e.g., carbon pricing) could further tighten supply and lift prices.

Downside scenario:

• Overcapacity in low-cost regions and near-term demand weakness could compress spreads between branded and generic AR plates; pricing could decline in real terms for a sustained period (2026–2028). However, total life-cycle cost considerations will still support branded buys in many OEM cases.

Longer-term (2030–2035):

• Material substitution, new surface treatments, or increased recycling could moderate per-kg growth. Conversely, decarbonization of steelmaking (green hydrogen DRI, electric furnaces) could increase production cost in the short term but offer green premium opportunities. Buyers should monitor energy policy, raw material investments and mill modernization projects.

How to buy Hardox 400 intelligently

• Specify the product correctly: Hardox® 400 (SSAB) vs NM400/AR400 (equivalents). Request the exact datasheet and lot certificate.

• Specify test requirements: Brinell hardness (HBW) with ISO/ASTM notation, chemical analysis, impact energy if relevant, ultrasonic testing if required. Use ISO 6506 for Brinell reference in contracts.

• Clarify incoterm and whether price includes cutting/processing and packaging.

• Ask for sample test reports from the same mill and weld procedure qualifications if welding is involved.

• Negotiate for life-cycle value: compare wear life per tonne and calculate $/operating-hour or $/tonne-of-material-handled rather than only $/kg. Branded wear steel often wins on total cost of ownership.

• Request lead time & escalation clauses: lock price for contract volumes where possible. For long projects consider indexed pricing tied to a public steel index.

• Quality audits: If you import from a new mill, consider a third-party inspection at the mill and certificates authenticated by a recognized testing lab.

Logistics, certifications and quality control

• Traceability: Mill lot numbers, heat numbers and full certificates.

• Testing: Brinell hardness per ISO 6506 or equivalent, chemical certificate, mechanical test results (tensile, impact if required).

• Welding guidance: Ask for recommended welding consumables and procedures from the mill or distributor.

• Packaging & transport: Plates should be properly protected (timber/steel frames, waterproof covers) for ocean shipping to avoid corrosion.

• Third-party validation: For critical applications use independent lab verification—especially when buying generic NM400 labeled as “equivalent” to Hardox.

Why choose MWalloys

MWalloys is positioned as a China-based manufacturer and global supplier focused on nickel and iron-based alloys, stainless and wear plates. For buyers considering Hardox® 400 or AR400 equivalent solutions, MWalloys can offer:

• Competitive ex-factory (EXW) pricing for NM400 / AR400-grade plates and partner sourcing options for SSAB branded plates for clients who require the original brand.

• Custom processing: cutting, CNC profiling, edge milling, shot-blasting and packing to customer specifications.

• Flexible MOQ & fast quotations: 24-hour quotation service and production scheduling for project timelines.

• Technical support: material selection guidance (thickness choice, weld filler suggestions, lifecycle calculations) based on alloy expertise.

• Quality control: mill test certificates and willingness to coordinate third-party inspection on request.

FAQs

1. Is Hardox 400 priced per kg or per tonne?
   Suppliers quote both; the industry standard is USD per metric tonne — divide by 1,000 for USD/kg. Always confirm incoterm.

2. Why is SSAB Hardox more expensive than NM400?
   Brand guarantees, documented transverse toughness, process control and global support justify a premium; end-users often accept higher upfront cost because of longer wear life.

3. How does thickness change price per kg?
   Extreme thicknesses (very thin or very thick) cost more per kg due to processing and yield losses; mid-range thicknesses are most economical.

4. Can I get a fixed price for a year?
   Some mills offer contract pricing or indexed pricing with clauses tied to steel benchmarks — negotiate for long projects.

5. Does surface treatment (coating) change the price much?
   Yes — coatings, painting or zinc treatment add processing and direct costs; calculate them into delivered price.

6. How do freight and duties affect the per-kg number?
   Ocean freight and import duties can add a substantial premium to CIF/DDP landed price versus EXW/FOB per-kg figures. Always request delivered quotes for budget accuracy.

7. Are there “fake” Hardox plates in the market?
   Some suppliers label generic AR400 as Hardox-equivalent — insist on documentation and mill traceability; if the brand is required, buy from authorized distributors.

8. Can Hardox 400 be welded easily?
   Yes — Hardox 400 is designed for weldability, but follow mill guidelines and choose suitable filler metals. Request welding procedure specs.

9. How to compare cost between Hardox 400 and Hardox 450?
   Hardox 450 has higher hardness and often longer wear life; run a life-cycle cost calculation (price vs expected wear life) rather than per-kg alone.

10. What documentation should I require on delivery?
    Mill test certificate (chemical and mechanical), hardness test report (ISO/ASTM), heat/lot numbers, and COA; for branded material always ask for proof of origin/authorized distribution.