Product and Application
TruSHIELD 550 armor plate provides excellent ballistic performance and has an outstanding weight-to-ballistic protection ratio. This quenched and tempered product excels in downstream fabrication processes like bending, laser cutting and plasma cutting. This product is used widely in the commercial vehicle armoring, explosion protection, military equipment and commercial body armor applications.
Available in thicknesses up to 0.500”, widths up to 60” and lengths up to 288”.
Mechanical Properties
| Surface Hardness | 525 - 570 HBW (aim 550 HBW) |
| Yield Strength | 220 ksi (1517 MPa) |
| Tensile Strength | 265 ksi (1827 MPa) |
| Charpy Impacts (typical @ -40F) | 23 ft-lbs (31.2 J) longitudinal, 18 ft-lbs (24.4 J) transverse |
| Bend Radius | 0.250” (6.35 mm) or less use 4T. Larger radius 6T recommended for thicker plates.. |
Typical mechanical testing values other than Brinell hardness listed for information only and are not performed unless specified at time of order. Charpy Impact specimens, when performed, are subsize on thicknesses < 0.375”. Charpy Impact values listed are adjusted to full size equivalent. Hardness tested on each plate, but not reported.
Dimensional Tolerances
| Flatness | Flatness tolerances meet 1/2 ASTM A6, Table 14, latest revision. TruFLAT guarantee of 1/4 ASTM A6 for 0.300” and thinner. |
| Thickness | +/- 0.012” to nominal thickness |
| Length and Width | Length and width tolerances meet ASTM A6, latest revision |
Chemical Composition
| C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cu | Ni | Cr | Mo | |
| Max | 0.35 | 1.20 | 0.020 | 0.015 | 0.45 | 0.25 | 0.85 | 0.75 | 0.55 |
| CEV (typical): | 0.67 | CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15 | |||||||
| CET (typical): | 0.48 | CET = C + (Mn+Mo)/10 + (Cr+Cu)/20 + Ni/40 | |||||||
| CEq (typical): | 0.48 | CEq = C + Si/25 + (Mn+Cu)/16 + Ni/40 + Cr/10 + Mo/15 + V/10 | |||||||
Ballistic Performance
In appropriate thickness, TruSHIELD 550 meets various protection levels for NIJ, EN1063, EN1522, UL752 and VPAM. May also be dual certified.
Fabrication, Bending, Post-Delivery Heating and Welding
| Bending | Free bending should be performed utilizing maximum allowable bend radius to prevent cracking. TruSHIELD 550 plates 0.250” (6.35 mm) thick and less can be bent using a transverse and longitudinal radius of 4T. Larger transverse bend radius of 6T is recommended for thicker plates. Transverse radius is the bend line parallel to rolling direction. |
| Post-Delivery Heating | TruSHIELD 550 armor plate achieves its properties through quenching and tempering processes. Heating in fabrication (such as post-weld stress relieving) or in service must not exceed 400° F without risk of lowering the strength and hardness of the material. |
| Welding | TruSHIELD 550 armor plates can be welded by conventional processes such as SMAW, SAW and GMAW, provided that the weld procedures used are suitable for this grade and design of the welded structure, using low hydrogen conditions. |
*These statements are general guidelines. CMC Impact Metals is not responsible for the results of any welding work performed.
Standard Delivery Conditions
| Surface Finish | Shot blasting and rust preventative applications are available. Please inquire. |
| Test Reports | Supplied with shipment for each production lot in the shipment. Reports include product description, heat number, chemical analysis and Brinell hardness value. |
QMS #: TD-CUS-419 | Last Revision: 10/01/2023