Customers working in corrosive conditions know the struggle all too well – equipment wears down fast, cracks appear sooner than expected, and service life takes a hit.
“In standard abrasion-resistant (AR) steels, oxidation leads to continuous material loss, as the oxide layer wears off and reforms. This accelerates wear significantly, especially in corrosive conditions, where studies show material loss can be up to 10 times higher,” says Xiaoyan Li, Technical Director at SSAB.
The solution to this challenge? Hardox® HiAce.
"Hardox HiAce wear steel is the ideal choice for demanding applications like waste handling, recycling, and mining."
Hardox® HiAce is built to withstand the harshest conditions – particularly in acidic and corrosive environments that threaten to eat away at equipment.
“Hardness is key to wear resistance. Hardox HiAce has been developed to delay oxidation, ensuring that abrasive particles wear directly on its surface rather than a brittle oxide layer. This makes Hardox HiAce a game-changer, helping customers reduce downtime, lower costs, boost productivity, and stay competitive,” says Xioayan.
With its exceptional hardness, Hardox® HiAce delivers extended service life, while also offering the toughness required to function as a structural steel. In corrosive conditions, it provides up to 2.7 times longer service life compared to standard AR steel, making it a reliable choice where both wear and corrosion are at play.
“Hardox HiAce extends equipment service life by combining 450 HBW hardness with enhanced corrosion resistance. Its unique alloying slows oxidation, ensuring full wear resistance even in acidic or wet environments. It’s the ideal choice for demanding applications like waste handling, recycling, and mining.”
Hardox® HiAce has experienced great success in markets such as Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia, particularly in industries with acidic environments like mining, recycling, waste management, pulp and paper, biomass, and agriculture.
Its success stems from its ability to effectively address the challenges posed by these environments by delaying oxidation and significantly extending the service life of equipment.
A prime example of this success is SSAB’s Japanese customer Shirakawa Tekko, which manufactures containers for the waste management industry. It was facing significant challenges with abrasion and corrosion in its containers. However, after upgrading to Hardox® HiAce steel, it was able to resolve these issues, significantly extending the service life of its containers and reducing maintenance costs for both themselves and its end customers.
“We work very closely with our customers, like Shirakawa Tekko. We listen to their challenges, understand their needs, and provide tailored solutions. SSAB is a true solution partner, helping customers improve productivity and exceed performance targets,” says Xiaoyan Li.
To further improve wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and overall durability, SSAB offers a comprehensive range of high-performance steel solutions.
Its Hardox® steels include various grades tailored to different needs, along with specialized options like Hardox® HiTemp for high-temperature applications and Hardox® HiAce for environments where both wear and corrosion are challenges.
SSAB also offers expert guidance on cutting, bending, welding, and machining techniques to help maximize the longevity of equipment and ensure lasting results.
