Steel Types for Tipper Trailers: Hardox & Alternatives (Strength, Wear, Cost)

Which steel is best for tipper trailers? Comparison of Hardox, Domex, Strenx and standard steels based on wear resistance, weight, durability and cost.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 112 Reviews Popular
📌 Published on 2025-11-06 | ✍️ Semi Trailer News Technical Team

Steel types for tipper trailers Hardox Strenx Domex

Image: Body steel options comparison for tipper trailers

🔹 Why Steel Choice Matters

The profit of a tipper fleet depends on maximum payload and minimum downtime. Body steel defines:

Wear life against abrasive materials
Weight → higher payload / lower fuel consumption
Strength to resist impacts during loading

✅ Hardox Wear Steel (SSAB Sweden)

Grades: Hardox 400/450/500
High impact toughness & abrasion resistance
Longer service life in aggregates, mining and scrap transport
Premium cost vs competitors but lowest lifecycle cost

✅ Strenx High Strength Steel

Used mainly for chassis & side structures instead of wear plates. Lighter chassis = higher net payload.

✅ Domex / Durostat / Raex (Alternatives)

Domex (SSAB) – strong & weldable structural steel
Durostat (Voestalpine) – wear-resistant close to Hardox
Raex (SSAB/Finnish variant) – cost-efficient wear plate

🔍 Comparison Table

Steel Type	Best Use	Wear Resistance	Weight Efficiency	Cost Level
Hardox 450	Floor & impact zones	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	High
Durostat 450	Similar applications	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Medium
Raex 400	General wear areas	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Medium/Low
Domex/Strenx	Chassis/Side walls	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium

⚙ Body Thickness Selection

Aggressive rock & mining: 6–8 mm Hardox 450
Sand, soil, construction: 4–6 mm Hardox / Raex
Waste & light materials: 3–4 mm lightweight steels

🧪 Manufacturing Considerations

Preheat & controlled welding to preserve hardness
Bend radius rules — avoid cracking high-strength plates
Use wear bars in impact areas to extend life

🛠 Maintenance Tips

Avoid overloading the same wear points
Inspect for impact dents near tailgate
Repaint anti-corrosion layer periodically

Conclusion:
Choosing the right steel maximizes payload and wear life. For demanding operations, Hardox remains the best-in-class solution, but alternatives can be used to manage cost while ensuring durability.