QT Plate (Quenched and Tempered Steel Plate)
This is the process of quenching standard construction steel from high temperatures. Generally the steel used contains low amounts of Carbon, which is the primary hardener in steel. This method hardens the outside surface or skin of the metal leaving the inner core soft. Once the outer hard surface was lost through wear, the inner soft metal quickly disappears requiring frequent replacement. After the steel is hardened through quench and tempering, it is difficult to form into shapes for various applications.

AR Plate (Abrasion Resistant Plate)
Metallurgists began mixing alloying elements to steel increasing the formation of abrasion resistant carbonitrides. This created better ductility and improved impact qualities of the steel.

Overall an increase in wear resistance of AR Plate is suited to moderate impact and wear applications. However under extreme impact and wear it does not perform well.

Cast White Iron
By increasing the alloy content in the metal mix it is possible to create high chromium white iron castings. These castings have increased wear resistance over AR plate.

However, due to there casting mould sizes they are unable to be formed into general components for custom applications. Also the increased alloy content means they are unable to be welded in place

Cast Ceramics
Ceramics can contain a range of materials such as silica-carbides, aluminium oxides, and metal alloys that are generally cast into moulds.

Thus not allowing them to be formed into shapes. They provide excellent abrasion and heat resistance, but are limited in applications involving moderate to heavy impact, and are not weldable

Cladded Wear Plate (Chromium Carbide Overlay Plate)
A product was needed that combined the ductility and weld ability properties of AR Plate and the wear resistance of Cast White Iron. So welding high chromium white iron electrodes to a mild steel base plate developed a method of Cladding the two. This creates a wear plate with a high wear resistive surface and a formable, weldable backing plate. Welding electrodes containing different amounts and types of alloys are used to manufacture different Cladded Plate for specific wear factors, eg- high impact or abrasive wear.

Multiple weld passes or layers may increase the thickness of the white iron cladding. However this results in the surface becoming brittle and susceptible to spalling or breaking up. Cladded Wear plate can be formed into a radius of approximately ten times the nominal thickness with the cladding on the inside radius. Not all cladded wear plate is created equal; various manufacturing processes can dramatically change the wear resistant qualities of the plate. Some Cladded wear plate can contain flaws like unevenness of the cladded overlay or cracks between the welds. Also plate distortion and severe cracking is common in some manufactured plate due to the intense heating and cooling during the welding process. This is detrimental to high impact environments that will cause the overlay to spall and break apart. The lack of a smooth finished surface is also a factor in some Cladded plate as this reduces friction and material hang-up on machinery.