How the Quenched and Tempered Process Creates AR Plate

Abrasion-resistant (AR) material is created by quenching and tempering forged steel blocks, or ingots. At the time of this process, the grain structure is modified to increase toughness and promote formability (or, to be less brittle), which leads to through-hardening of the material.

Quenching and tempering (Q&T) is a two-part process:

Quenching occurs when steel is brought to a high temperature, normally between 1,500 and 1,650 °F and is quickly cooled with water. This process allows crystal structures to form within the steel, increasing hardness.

Tempering is the process of re-heating quenched steel to a below-critical temperature (approximately 300 — 700 °F), and then enabling the plate to cool in normal air temperatures.

The reheating of material disintegrates the crystal structures formed at the time of the quenching process, while the long cooling enables the crystal structures to reform — preserving most of the hardness and strength, but increasing the overall ductility.