TRUShield 500 Steel Plate
When strength, durability, and protection matter most, CMC's TruSHIELD™ 500 Steel Plate delivers unmatched performance. Engineered through advanced quenching and tempering processes, this high-hardness plate offers an exceptional balance of ballistic resistance and fabrication flexibility. As a trusted leader in performance steel, CMC manufactures 500 Steel Plate that meets the demands of defense, security, and commercial sectors alike.
Our Armor 500 Steel Plate is used in applications where lightweight yet powerful protection is critical. From military vehicles and law enforcement equipment to industrial safety structures and commercial body armor, 500 Steel Plate provides the dependable strength required in today's most challenging environments.
Backed by CMC's reputation for innovation and sustainability, every plate is produced with precision and consistency. Customers not only receive a product with trusted, proven ballistic performance but also benefit from the assurance of partnering with a company dedicated to delivering long-term quality and unwavering reliability.
Industries and Applications for 500 Steel Plate
CMC: A Century of Expertise
Commercial Metals Company (CMC) has been shaping the future of steel for over 100 years. From humble beginnings in a Dallas scrapyard, we've grown into a Fortune 500 company operating in hundreds of facilities with over 10,000 employees worldwide.
Our success is built on a foundation of integrity, innovation, and service — principles that guide us as we deliver high-quality steel products and unmatched customer support. Today, CMC continues to lead with advanced technologies, sustainable practices, and a dedication to helping our partners build stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.
Product Details
TruSHIELD 500 armor plate, formerly Aegis Shield 500, provides excellent ballistic performance and 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 | 470 - 535 HBW (aim 500 HBW) |
|---|---|
| Yield Strength | 220 ksi (1517 MPa) |
| Tensile Strength | 235 ksi (1620 MPa) |
| Charpy Impacts (@ -40F) | 28 ft-lbs (38 J), 22 ft-lbs (29.8 J) transverse |
| Bend Radius | 4T (transverse), 3.5T (longitudinal) at 0.250” (6.35 mm) thick or less. Larger radius 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. |
 |
| 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 | 0.33 | 1.20 | 0.020 | 0.015 | 0.45 | 0.25 | 0.80 | 0.70 | 0.45 |
| CEV (typical): | 0.61 | CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15 | |||||||
| CET (typical): | 0.42 | CET = C + (Mn+Mo)/10 + (Cr+Cu)/20 + Ni/40 | |||||||
| CEq (typical): | 0.43 | CEq= C + Si/25 + (Mn+Cu)/16 + Ni/40 + Cr/10 + Mo/15 + V/10 | |||||||
Balistic Performance
In appropriate thickness, TruSHIELD 500 meets various protection levels for NIJ, EN 1063, EN1522, UL 752 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 500 plates 0.250” (6.35 mm) thick and less can be bent using a transverse radius of 4T and a longitudinal radius of 3.5T. Larger bend radius is recommended for thicker plates. Transverse radius is the bend line parallel to rolling direction. |
| Post-Delivery Heating | TruSHIELD 500 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 500 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-418 | Last Revision: 10/01/2023