Driving Mining Innovation with Hardox® 500 Tuf
Extending the wear life of ultra-class mining truck bodies without increasing their overall weight may seem impossible. However, this is entirely achievable when they are manufactured using Hardox 500 TUF. Mining operations can choose to haul more material in fewer trips, reduce fuel consumption while increasing productivity, or transport the same volume of material over a significantly longer service life by utilizing truck bodies fabricated from Hardox 500 Tuf. It delivers outstanding strength, exceptional hardness, and guaranteed toughness in a single wear plate—making it the ideal material for the demanding mining industry.
Austin Engineering continually pushes the boundaries of innovation in every project, delivering unique mining truck solutions and equipment for forward-thinking mining operations. It is therefore no surprise that the company has developed highly durable, long-lasting mining truck bodies using Hardox® wear plate.
1. First to Market, First to Lead Innovation in Mining Truck Bodies and Equipment
Initially, Austin recognized how much easier Hardox® wear plate was to fabricate in the workshop compared with the materials they had specified for many years. This inspired the company’s Global Engineering Director, Rick Reynolds, to take a bold step by redesigning the primary structural plates of the truck body using Hardox 400, thereby eliminating the previously specified 690 MPa (100 ksi) structural steel. This enabled Austin to significantly reduce truck body weight while simultaneously improving impact resistance and increasing payload capacity.
Reynolds explained: “That move was a tremendous success and truly accelerated the industry’s transition from extremely heavy, inefficient equipment to lighter, more efficient solutions. Austin was the first company in the industry to make that transition. As pioneers in mining truck body and equipment design, we chose to collaborate with SSAB to drive innovation together.”
2. Exceptional Hardness and Guaranteed Toughness for Large Mining Trucks
Hardox 500 Tuf stands out for its outstanding weldability, excellent formability, and exceptional impact strength. It combines high strength, extreme hardness, and guaranteed toughness in a single wear plate—making it the ideal solution for the demanding mining industry.
Today, Austin utilizes Hardox 500 Tuf across a wide range of heavy mining truck applications, achieving weight reductions of up to 25% without compromising component wear life. In other applications, the service life can be extended by as much as 25% while maintaining the same component weight.
“We currently have truck bodies manufactured from Hardox 500 Tuf operating in three strategic regions across North America under a wide variety of conditions—from extremely cold climates to the most severe high-impact environments,” Reynolds said. “We are also introducing designs utilizing Hardox 500 Tuf in Australia and South America. So far, these applications have delivered nothing but success. With SSAB’s support, we will continue advancing the mining industry and developing innovative solutions for the future.”
3. Steel Properties That Drive Mining Dump Truck Innovation
When comparing the weldability and formability of Hardox 500 Tuf with Hardox 450, both grades offer very similar fabrication characteristics. However, using thinner Hardox 500 Tuf can significantly reduce bending forces while minimizing preheating requirements before welding. It also delivers substantial improvements in both service life and payload capacity.
For example, Austin originally used 25.4 mm (1 inch) Hardox 450 for one application. After switching to 19 mm (¾ inch) Hardox 500 Tuf, the company successfully reduced the component weight by approximately 25%.
“For projects like these, every detail must be carefully evaluated to ensure the expected performance is achieved,” said Jonas Allebert, SSAB Specialist. “We provide our customers with a comprehensive range of engineering tools and technical expertise. Beyond increasing service life or reducing weight, we carefully evaluate every stage of fabrication—from welding procedures and supplying test materials to stress calculations that must be thoroughly verified before full-scale production begins.”
4. Mining Truck Equipment Continues to Evolve
Austin Engineering manufactures mining dump truck bodies, buckets, water tanks, tyre handlers, and a wide range of auxiliary equipment used in mining operations worldwide. The company also provides both on-site and off-site repair and maintenance services for its customers.
According to Austin, innovation will continue to drive future development. Mining operations around the world can expect greater productivity thanks to customized engineering solutions and the pioneering work of engineers such as Rick Reynolds.
“As long as new materials continue to offer measurable improvements in performance, efficiency, and even safety, we will keep evaluating them for future projects,” Reynolds said. “Our focus is on solving the challenges presented by mining operators by optimizing every aspect of the design to achieve the best possible results. For example, our patented Flow Control Body™—featuring a unique floor design and optimized material selection—demonstrates how we have consistently delivered customized equipment that continues to set the industry benchmark. We expect Hardox 500 Tuf to help us remain at the forefront of the industry, exactly where we intend to stay.”
5. Setting the Benchmark for Innovation in the Mining Industry
To remain at the forefront of the steel industry, SSAB continuously invests in research and development, technical support, and collaborative innovation programs to help customers maximize the value of its advanced high-strength steels. Close collaboration leads to a deeper understanding of market needs and drives the development of innovative products. With Hardox 500 Tuf, SSAB became the first steel manufacturer to introduce a 500 Brinell wear plate that combines the performance of a wear-resistant steel with the structural properties of high-strength structural steel.
Tobias Appelkvist, Segment Manager – Mining, SSAB Special Steels North America, explained: “Understanding our customers’ requirements across different applications and market segments provides us with the insights needed to develop entirely new products. The introduction of a unique steel grade such as Hardox 500 Tuf is the result of close collaboration with our customers and reflects our commitment to helping them innovate and advance their industries.”
Hardox Wear-Resistant and Impact-Resistant Steel is officially distributed in Vietnam by Gia Anh – Gia Anh Trading & Investment Joint Stock Company (GAC).
GAC maintains an inventory of more than 2,000 tons, including a comprehensive range of wear-resistant steel plates, bi-metallic wear plates, high-strength steel plates, and non-metallic wear-resistant materials. Supported by a highly experienced, dedicated sales and engineering team, GAC specializes in consulting and delivering effective lightweight engineering solutions, ensuring timely and comprehensive support for customers throughout Vietnam.
Gia Anh Trading & Investment Joint Stock Company is honored to serve as an authorized Hardox Wearparts Center in Vietnam. Gia Anh primarily serves the cement, coal-fired power generation, automotive, mining, and steel industries. The company is capable of processing nearly the complete range of Hardox wear plates, from Hardox 450 to advanced grades including Hardox HiAce, Hardox HiTemp, and Hardox 500 Tuf. Gia Anh operates a fully equipped workshop, providing comprehensive services ranging from on-site measurement and engineering design to fabrication, installation, and after-sales maintenance.
- Official reference from the SSAB website: https://www.ssab.com/vi-vn/brands-and-products/hardox/gia-anh-investment-trading-co-ltd
- For further information, please contact Gia Anh Trading & Investment Joint Stock Company (GAC).
- Hotline: 0962887883
