Customizing AR500 Steel for Your Industrial Needs

As you start sourcing metal for your next project, you know how crucial it is to buy high-quality materials from a trusted source. But did you also know you can purchase customized steel for your needs? 

At Specialty Steel, we understand the demands of your industry and know how costly it can be to machine and fabricate raw steel plates and strips. We offer custom sizing to help you complete your job faster and within budget. One of the best materials for customizing is AR500 steel, which is known for its hardness, durability, and resilience. 

So, before you place your next order for standard-sized steel plates, here’s why custom-cut AR500 steel is better.

A Brief Overview of AR500 Steel

When you need relatively lightweight steel that can take a beating and work well in almost all environments, AR500 is always a top choice. Due to its chemical composition, which includes molybdenum and chromium, AR500 steel is highly abrasion-resistant and impact-resistant. Although this steel is not ideal for marine applications, it works well elsewhere.

Benefits of Buying Custom-Cut AR500 Steel

Once you start sourcing raw materials, you already know how to use them in your next project. Maybe you’re buying AR500 steel for body armor or need it for construction equipment and vehicles. Regardless of the situation, you should know the necessary thickness and dimensions.

But what if you can’t find steel in those dimensions or thicknesses? That means you’ll have to machine the material to fit your needs. Unfortunately, while AR500 is relatively easy to machine, doing so will lead to much wasted time and energy, not to mention any scraps left over. 

Instead, buying custom-cut AR500 steel is a much smarter choice. At first, you’ll notice a price difference between standard and custom plates or strips. So, you may think that buying standard sizes at wholesale prices would be the most cost-effective option. 

However, consider the time and resources you’ll need to shape and fit your pieces correctly. These elements can inflate your budget and delay your deadline, and there’s always the prospect of mistakes or subpar machining. 

Overall, custom-cut AR500 from Specialty Steel makes much more sense from a practical and financial standpoint. When plates and strips are ready for delivery, you can finish the job faster and under budget. 

What to Keep in Mind When Buying Custom AR500 Steel

If you’ve never purchased custom-cut steel, you may wonder how “custom” you can go with your order. Our customer service team is here to help you every step of the way so you get exactly what you need when you need it. 

Some factors to consider when customizing your order include: 

• LeadTime: Although custom cutting doesn’t lead to substantial delays, it may not be the best choice for “rush” orders. Even with a more extended lead time requirement, you’re still saving time when the metal arrives and can be deployed immediately. 
• Thickness: As a general rule, you always want to err on the side of caution. Getting a plate or strip slightly thicker than necessary may be best unless you need precise thickness measurements. You can permanently remove more material but never add it back. 
• Cold-Rolled Steel: AR500 steel is already challenging and durable but can be even more resilient when cold-rolled. If you need the best, order customized cold-rolled steel for your next project. 
• Bulk vs. Small-Batch Customization: As you might expect, buying wholesale amounts of custom-cut AR500 steel will be more affordable over the long term. So, if you plan on using this metal for large-scale projects, it makes much more sense to customize each piece in bulk. 

AR500 Steel Applications

If you’re unsure what type of steel you need for your project, our customer service team can assist you. Some of the best industrial applications that utilize AR500 steel include:

• Construction Equipment: This metal is perfect for construction vehicles and equipment because it is abrasion-resistant. It easily handles scrapes, bumps, and scratches. 
• Mining and Excavation: AR500 plates are suitable for bulldozers and excavators because they don’t corrode and can handle extreme impacts. 
• Armor Plating: While AR500 is tough enough for industrial environments, it’s also light enough for body armor. This metal absorbs the impact of firearms to protect law enforcement and military personnel. 
• Shooting Targets: If you’re looking for metal plates for your gun range, AR500 steel is a durable, long-lasting material that is also the industry standard. 
• Industrial Robotics:  As automation takes over various industries, AR500 steel is often used to build the robots on the assembly line. This metal handles repetitive wear and tear exceptionally well.
• Architecture: Although AR500 steel isn’t strong enough to be used in load-bearing supports, it does work well for decorative accents and centerpieces. You can cut this steel into complex, ornate shapes thanks to its high machinability. 

Buy Your Custom Cut AR500 Steel From Specialty Steel

As you can see, buying precision-cut AR500 steel is often the best option for your next project. At Specialty Steel, we’re committed to providing full traceability and quality with all our metals. You can’t afford to buy subpar steel, nor can you afford to waste time machining and trimming standard stock sizes. 

In addition to being a reliable supplier, we’re committed to providing the best customer service experience. Our goal is to ensure you get the best material for your project. That’s why we’ll work with you to curate each custom-cut piece to fit your needs. Call us for a quote and see why customized steel is the best option for your business.