THERMAL CUTTING
Bethlehem's Hardwear� 400F and 500F plates can be thermally cut with conventional oxy-fuel and plasma cutting techniques. The minimum plate temperature prior to thermal cutting should be +60� F for both grades. It is further recommended that Hardwear 500F plates greater than 1 inch (25.4 mm) thick be preheated to +300F to prevent edge cracking. Use of reduced cutting speeds with other proper cutting parameters may also be used for thicker plates. Refer to Lukens Technical Services Bulletin "Thermal Cutting of Lukens Plate Steels" for further information.
WELDABILITY
Bethlehem's Hardwear 400F and 500F may be welded by any of the conventional welding processes such as SMAW, GMAW and SAW, provided proper precautions and low-hydrogen welding practices are employed. Bethlehem's welding guidelines for Hardwear 400F and 500F are summarized in Figure 11 shown on the following page. The guidelines were developed using the "Y" groove weldability test specimen. For joints under less restrained conditions, some fabricators have found that lower preheat temperatures may be used. Postweld heat treatment should not be applied to the steels if the original hardness levels are to be maintained.
	3/8 inch thick Hardwear 400F was used to form the welded conical portion of this reducing hopper.

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