NM500 steel and AR500 steel differences

Key Differences:
Hardness and Wear Resistance:

Both NM500 and AR500 are high-hardness steels with around 500 HB hardness, so they have similar abrasion resistance. However, AR500 is generally regarded as having better impact resistance, particularly for applications like shooting targets or armor-piercing.
NM500, being designed more for heavy earth-moving and mining equipment, offers a balance of wear resistance and toughness, ensuring it performs well in more complex and heavy-duty applications.
Applications:

NM500 is more focused on mining and earthmoving industries, whereas AR500 is often used in more specialized wear and impact applications, such as armor plating or shooting targets.
AR500 is generally better suited for high-impact scenarios, whereas NM500 is ideal for heavy wear over time, like in bulk handling systems or excavators.
Workability:

Both steels are difficult to machine or weld due to their high hardness. However, NM500 tends to maintain a better balance of toughness under heavy loads, while AR500 is optimized for resisting impact and handling extreme abrasion.
Toughness:

NM500 is more tough compared to AR500, meaning it is less likely to fracture under extreme pressure or impact, making it ideal for construction equipment and heavy machinery.
AR500, while highly resistant to wear, may not have the same toughness under shock loading as NM500, which makes it more suitable for applications where abrasion is the primary concern, such as in mining or target shooting.
Summary:
Both NM500 and AR500 are premium abrasion-resistant steels designed for wear applications, but NM500 is typically used in heavy-duty mining and earthmoving equipment where both abrasion resistance and toughness are critical, while AR500 is more suited for impact-resistant and abrasion-heavy environments, such as armor and shooting targets. The choice between the two depends on the specific demands of the application, with AR500 excelling in impact and NM500 being better for longer-term wear resistance with a balance of toughness.