Base Plate Selection Guide for Chromium Carbide Overlay Wear Plate: Q235 vs. Q355

Why Base Plate Selection Matters

In a chromium carbide overlay wear plate, the overlay layer provides extreme abrasion resistance, but the base plate is the backbone that carries structural loads, absorbs impact, and ensures reliable welding performance.

Selecting the right base plate material—most commonly Q235 or Q355—directly impacts service life, performance stability, and cost-effectiveness.

Overview of Q235 and Q355 Steels

Q235: Mild Steel with Flexible Applications

Q235 is a low-carbon structural steel widely used in general engineering. It comes in grades A, B, C, and D, with higher grades offering better low-temperature toughness.

• Yield strength: ~235 MPa
• Tensile strength: 370–500 MPa
• Advantages: Excellent weldability, good ductility, cost-efficient
• Grade-specific toughness:
• A/B: Adequate at room temperature
• C: Reliable down to 0°C
• D: Performs well down to -20°C

Q355: High-Strength Structural Steel

Q355, equivalent to EN S355, is a low-alloy high-strength steel designed for heavier loads and harsher conditions.

• Yield strength: ~355 MPa
• Tensile strength: 470–630 MPa
• Advantages: Greater load capacity, high impact resistance, good weldability, excellent low-temperature performance
• Applications: Mining equipment, port machinery, heavy-duty structural parts

Key Performance Comparison

Influence on Chromium Carbide Overlay Performance

When used as the base of a Chromium Carbide Overlay plate, the steel’s mechanical properties determine how well the overlay layer performs in real-world conditions.

Impact Absorption:

• Q235 is suitable for moderate impact environments such as cement plant chutes or hoppers.
• Q355 handles high-impact loads in mining buckets, crusher liners, and dozer blades.

Cold Weather Reliability:

• Q235C/D and Q355 can maintain toughness in sub-zero temperatures.
• Lower grades like Q235A/B risk brittleness in cold climates.

Structural Integrity:

• Higher yield strength of Q355 allows for thinner base plates without sacrificing strength—reducing equipment weight.

Base Plate Selection Guidelines for CCO Wear Plate