This process, however, introduces heat into the material, which can cause tempering and reduce wear resistance. Tests conducted on Hardox^® plate indicate that when the bolt diameter and plate thickness are approximately the same, the heat from stud welding does not significantly affect the properties of Hardox^® wear plate. Based on these tests, a reference table has been created to specify the minimum plate thickness for different bolt diameters.

Recommended ratios between plate thickness T and stud diameter D.

The example below demonstrates the impact of stud welding on Hardox^® steel. A 20 mm Hardox^® 600 plate with an M16 bolt was tested, showing some influence from welding. However, the wear rate remains relatively limited compared to the base material.

With equal stud diameter and plate thickness, the introduced heat will not locally decrease the wear resistance.

Stud-welded bolts result in shorter clamp lengths compared to traditional bolts that pass through the liner plate. With shorter clamp lengths and lower-strength bolts, the joint becomes classified as a “stiff joint,” which increases the risk of failure. To address this, it is necessary to introduce a solution that adds elasticity or prevents loosening. This can be achieved by using a spacer washer to make makes the joint more elastic or by incorporating a locking washer to secure the joint and reduce the likelihood of failure.

A stud weld.

When stud welding Hardox^® steel, it is best practice to regularly test the strength of the welds. An important factor to consider when stud welding is maintaining good welding hygiene at the point where the stud will be welded by removing any scale, dirt and primer. The unique flatness of Hardox^® steel, especially after thermal cutting, is a valuable property that helps maintain pre-tension. It is also important to make sure that the backing plate (for example, in a chute) is flat to achieve the best results.