high-speed steel
Description
High-speed steels belong to the group of special tool steels intended for cutting metals at high speeds. Their main characteristic is the ability to maintain high hardness even at temperatures of 550–600 °C, which are generated during metal machining.
Properties and Applications
Characteristics
- Extremely high hardness (62–68 HRC) even at elevated temperatures
- High wear resistance
- Good strength and toughness
- Possibility of nitriding or coating (TiN, TiAlN, CrN) to improve service life
- Good grindability
🔩 Applications
- Drills, taps, milling cutters, reamers, knives, files
- Thread cutting tools, lathe tools, planing knives
- Tools for high-speed machining of steel, cast iron, bronze, brass, and stainless steel
Heat Treatment
Heat Treatment (approximate values)
| Process | Temperature | Cooling | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft annealing | 850–900 °C | Slow cooling | ≤ 230 HB |
| Hardening | 1180–1230 °C | Oil or salt bath | 64–68 HRC |
| Tempering | 540–580 °C | In air (2–3 times) | Retention of red hardness |
Interesting Fact
High-speed steel is a small miracle of metallurgy – one of the few materials capable of cutting other metals even at red heat without losing its hardness. This is where the term “red hardness” comes from.
Description
Properties and Applications
Heat Treatment
Interesting Fact
