High Speed Tool Steel Flat Bar

Product Description

High-speed tool steel (HSS) is a category of tool steel known for its ability to retain hardness and cutting performance at high temperatures. It is commonly used for manufacturing cutting tools and machinery that operate at high speeds and temperatures. Here™s a detailed description:

Composition

- Iron (Fe) The base metal for all tool steels.

- Carbon (C) Typically around 0.7% to 1.4% to enhance hardness and wear resistance.

- Alloying Elements 

  - Tungsten (W) 5% to 20%, helps with hardness at high temperatures.

  - Molybdenum (Mo) 3% to 10%, improves toughness and high-temperature hardness.

  - Chromium (Cr) 3% to 5%, enhances wear resistance and toughness.

  - Vanadium (V) 1% to 5%, increases hardness and wear resistance.

  - Cobalt (Co) Up to 12%, boosts hardness and maintains cutting edge at high temperatures.

Specifications

- Grades Various grades of HSS are available, each with specific properties and applications, such as:

  - M2 A popular general-purpose HSS grade with good all-around properties.

  - M42 Known for high cobalt content, offering superior hardness and cutting performance.

  - T1 Contains tungsten and vanadium, providing high hardness and wear resistance.

  - H13 Chromium-molybdenum HSS, used for hot work applications due to its resistance to heat and wear.

- Form Typically supplied in forms such as bars, rods, and tools.

Properties

- Hardness Retains high hardness even at elevated temperatures, typically up to 62-64 HRC (Rockwell Hardness Scale).

- Wear Resistance Excellent resistance to wear and abrasion, making it suitable for high-performance cutting tools.

- Heat Resistance Maintains its properties at high operating temperatures, usually up to 600C (1112F).

- Toughness Good toughness to withstand impact and resist chipping or cracking.

Applications

- Cutting Tools Used for manufacturing drills, taps, milling cutters, and saw blades.

- Machinery Parts Employed in parts that experience high stress and wear, such as dies and molds.

- Aerospace and Automotive Utilized in high-performance components and tooling for aerospace and automotive industries.

- Tooling Commonly used in industrial tooling and machinery that operates at high speeds and temperatures.

Manufacturing Process

- Melting Alloying elements are melted with iron in an electric arc furnace or similar equipment.

- Forging The molten metal is forged into the desired shape and size.

- Heat Treatment Includes processes like quenching and tempering to achieve the desired hardness and toughness.

- Grinding Finished to precise dimensions and surface finish required for specific applications.

Advantages

- Performance at High Temperatures Maintains hardness and cutting efficiency at high operating temperatures.

- Durability Provides long tool life and consistent performance in demanding applications.

- Versatility Suitable for a wide range of cutting and tooling applications due to its balance of hardness, toughness, and heat resistance.

Disadvantages

- Cost Generally more expensive than other tool steels due to the high alloy content and complex manufacturing process.

- Brittleness Can be more brittle compared to some other tool steels, making it susceptible to cracking under impact or severe stress.

High-speed tool steels are essential for applications requiring high performance at elevated temperatures, providing exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and durability for cutting and machining tools.