304SS vs. AR450 for dump body construction
304SS vs. AR450 for dump body construction
(OP)
I am asking for some opinions and/or pros & cons, concerning uses of several types of steel in dump truck bodies.
A municipality sent me an RFP for dump truck bodies. They asked for quote options for 409SS, 304SS and AR450 construction, (among others). They expect a 15 year life from the type they settle on. They will be using the trucks in a snow belt state for general purpose use. General materials hauling and snow removal mainly. Rough & tumble, mis-used & abused municipal use.
They have shown preference for 304SS construction w/AR400 floor. With the current market upheaval driving prices
and availability out of sight, I don't necessarially agree that 304SS is the answer. I can quote them bodies constructed totally of 1/4" AR450 steel for 10-15% less. Please share your thoughts from painting & maintaining to resistance to abrasion, impact and corrosion. What is the better buy? Thanks for your help.
A municipality sent me an RFP for dump truck bodies. They asked for quote options for 409SS, 304SS and AR450 construction, (among others). They expect a 15 year life from the type they settle on. They will be using the trucks in a snow belt state for general purpose use. General materials hauling and snow removal mainly. Rough & tumble, mis-used & abused municipal use.
They have shown preference for 304SS construction w/AR400 floor. With the current market upheaval driving prices
and availability out of sight, I don't necessarially agree that 304SS is the answer. I can quote them bodies constructed totally of 1/4" AR450 steel for 10-15% less. Please share your thoughts from painting & maintaining to resistance to abrasion, impact and corrosion. What is the better buy? Thanks for your help.
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RE: 304SS vs. AR450 for dump body construction
There is a web site by HARDOX, which is the trade name for abrasion resistant plate fabricated by a Swedish company (SAAB) that has offices in the US. They provide a high strength low alloy steel plate that is similar to AR 400 or AR500. This stuff can be used for the entire dump truck body (sidewalls and floor). It is very weldable and is a quenched and tempered product.
When you access their web site, they have plenty of technical info on their HARDOX plate products - it is used on German dump trucks.
I had a chance to visit the US office near Pittsburg, PA because we had purchased HARDOX to be used as rub plates for our new coal barges. Amazing stuff!
I would agree that AISI Type 304 ss is not the material to use for impact resistance. It will dent and look terrible over time. The abrasion resisitant plate is higher strength and can take the impact loading as well as abrasion.