Hardox 450 vs AR450 vs NM450: Specs, Equivalents and Real Mill Certificate Data
Jay Zheng
Nov 6, 2026
Three Names, One 450-Class Wear Plate
Hardox 450, AR450 and NM450 are three commercial names for the same product family: quenched-and-tempered abrasion-resistant plate at 450 HBW nominal hardness. Hardox 450 is SSAB's brand, sold globally with a premium price. AR450 is the generic American (ASTM-style) designation used by distributors. NM450 is the Chinese GB grade produced by Baosteel — the grade this article focuses on, because it delivers the class with real certificate data behind it at a materially lower price.
Guaranteed Specs Side by Side
| Property | Hardox 450 (SSAB) | AR450 (generic) | NM450 (Baosteel) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal hardness class | 450 HBW | 450 HBW | 450 HBW |
| Guaranteed hardness window | 425-475 HBW (plate \u226480 mm) | 420-480 HBW (supplier-dependent) | 420-480 HBW |
| Typical yield strength | \u22481,250 MPa | \u22481,250 MPa | ≥1,250 MPa |
| Impact guarantee | per SSAB datasheet | supplier-dependent | 20 J at -20 °C (higher on request) |
| Thickness range | 4-80 mm (mill-dependent) | supplier-dependent | 1.5-25 mm standard; heavier on request |
| Thin-gauge capability | limited | limited | 1.5 mm class — unique to Baosteel's line |
What a Real NM450 Certificate Shows
Guarantees are one thing; delivered metal is another. A genuine Baosteel inspection certificate from a 10 mm NM450 plate shipped to Baohui Steel (cert. BGSAI2402270700100) measured 452 HBW average hardness, 1,250 MPa yield strength and 52 J impact energy at -20 °C — above every guaranteed minimum, with the toughness margin that keeps buckets and liners from cracking in cold-weather service. Every Baohui Steel shipment carries this documentation: the original mill test certificate, and EPDs verified to ISO 14025.
Price Reality: What You Actually Pay
Indicative FOB Shanghai pricing for the Baosteel NM series (NM400/450/500) runs 720-930 USD/MT depending on grade, thickness and volume. Hardox 450 in the same class typically trades significantly higher once brand premium, distributor margins and regional stock costs are included — the gap is usually largest for buyers in South America, Southeast Asia and Africa sourcing ex-stock rather than mill-direct. For a like-for-like specification, request both quotes and compare delivered cost per operating hour, not per ton.
Which One Should You Buy?
- Choose NM450 when you want the 450 class with documented mill certificates, thin gauges (down to 1.5 mm) and the best price — ideal for chutes, hoppers, crusher liners, mixer drums and wear strips.
- Choose Hardox 450 when your end customer contractually requires the SSAB brand or you need SSAB's local stock network in Europe/North America.
- Choose AR450 from a mill-direct supplier rather than a service center when you want the American designation with export pricing.
Baohui Steel supplies NM450 and the full NM series from 10,000+ tons of Baosteel wear plate stock — see the NM400/NM450/NM500 product page for specifications and pricing, the wear resistant steel category page for the full grade range, and how to read a Baosteel MTC line by line to verify any certificate yourself. Request a firm quote with your grade, thickness and quantity.
