Abrasion Resistant (AR) steel plate is typically made in the as-rolled condition. These types/grades of steel plate products have been developed specifically for long service life in harsh conditions. AR products are suitable for a variety of applications in areas such as mining/quarrying, conveyors, material handling and construction, and earthmoving. Designers and plant operators choose AR plate steel when striving to extend service life of critical components, and reduce the weight of each unit put into service. The benefits of employing wear-resistant plate steel in applications involving impact and/or sliding contact with abrasive material are immense.

Abrasive resistant alloy steel plates generally offer good resistance to sliding and impact abrasion. The high carbon content in the alloy increases the hardness and toughness of the steel, making it an ideal material for applications that require high impact or high abrasion resistance.  It is possible to get high hardness with a high carbon steel, and the steel will have good resistance to penetration.  However, the wear rate will be rapid compared to heat treated alloy plate because high carbon steel is brittle, so particles can be more easily torn from the surface. As a result, high carbon steels are not used for high wear applications.