Talk to Cyrious Metal Works at (903) 623-6766 for custom CNC plasma cutting solutions!

When it comes to cutting AR500 steel, you may need specialized equipment, thanks to its incredible toughness. You may even find yourself asking: Can you cut AR500 steel with a plasma cutter? 

The short answer is yes. However, you must do it correctly so you don’t damage your expensive material. 

Cyrious Metal Works draws on their years of experience providing hypertherm plasma cutters to explain more about AR500 durability and plasma cutting so you can make an informed decision.  

The Hardness of AR500 Steel Explained

First, you might want to know what AR500 steel is. It’s a kind of metal made by adding manganese and carbon to iron. This process gives it a surface hardness of about 500 Brinell. 

Such a high level of hardness results in abrasion resistance you’ll struggle to find in other metals. You can find AR500 steel in various applications, including body armor, armored vehicles, and targets. 

Sadly, this AR500 steel hardness makes it challenging to cut and use in your fabrication projects. 

How to Cut Your AR500 Steel Safely with Thermal Cutting Tools

Plasma cutting utilizes ionized gasses at high pressure, velocity, and temperature to slice through steel, aluminum, and other tough materials. This highly precise technique allows you to safely and effectively cut metals that otherwise would prove impossible to cut.

You can apply this valuable technology to various projects and materials. The best thing is that large plasma cutters have CNC programming for accurate shape cutting. 

Now that you understand what plasma cutting is all about, can you cut AR500 steel with a plasma cutter?

While this is possible, you must be extra cautious to preserve the integrity of your material. Many metal fabricators say AR500 develops weak spots around the edges when it gets too hot. In the end, the integrity of your material near the edges could be compromised. 

You can use a water table to reduce the risk of damage when plasma-cutting AR500 steel. Furthermore, you should wear protective equipment and have proper ventilation so you’re safe during the process. Don’t forget to refer to your plasma cutter’s operation instructions. 

Make sure you have the right settings depending on the thickness of your material. Doing so results in precisely cut edges with smooth finishes, so you won’t need to make any corrections.  

When in doubt if you’re doing the right thing, contact a professional to avoid costly damage. 

Get Quality Hypertherm Plasma Cutters for Your AR500 Steel Works

Can you cut AR500 steel with a plasma cutter? The answer is yes. However, just like cutting aluminum with a plasma cutter, you must select the right equipment to ensure the best results.a

The experts at Cyrious Metal Works can help you find the perfect plasma cutter to make your metal fabrication projects safe, efficient, and enjoyable. Call our team at (903) 345-1841 to get your free estimate today!