High-speed steels are alloys used to make tool bits and machine parts for high-speed machining. They can withstand high temperatures without losing hardness, making them ideal for drill bits, milling cutters, and reamers. HSS products can be coated to improve surface hardness and lubrication, resulting in cleaner cuts and better tool tip life. HSS is used in turning, shaping, and milling operations, as well as for reamers, gear cutters, and saw blades. They are marked with an “HSS” or “HS” stamp for identification.
High-speed steels are a group of high-performance steel alloys used to make tool bits and machine parts used in demanding high-speed machining applications. There are several grades of high speed steel (HSS), which include carbon as a common alloying element in addition to various other components such as tungsten, cobalt and vanadium. Unlike plain tool steel, the alloy compositions of high-speed steels allow them to withstand very high operating temperatures without losing their hardness. This feature makes them ideal for the production of drill bits, milling cutters and reamers. Turning tool bits, gear cutters, and saw blades are also commonly made from HSS.
In the past, high-speed tool bits used in drills and lathes were traditionally made from conventional tungsten tool steel. While effective, they did not hold their hardness very well at high operating speeds. Advances in metallurgical science, such as the replacement of tungsten with molybdenum, made other alloying options possible, and high-speed steel was born. These steels have a carbon content ranging from 0.65% to 1.1% and also include other alloying components such as tungsten, vanadium and cobalt. They are generally very hard, with average values above HRC60 and are able to maintain their temper, or hardness, even at high operating temperatures.
Several other treatments for HSS products have seen many new uses. These include coating the tips with substances such as titanium nitride and titanium carbide, which not only improve the surface hardness of the tool, but also lubricate it. This prevents the cut material from scratching or sticking to the bit due to high operating temperatures due to friction. The coatings also serve to reduce the temperatures generated during cutting, resulting in cleaner cuts and better tool tip life.
This characteristic makes high speed steel ideal for manufacturing tools and tool bits used in demanding, high friction applications where long, deep cuts are made at speeds not previously possible with older tool steels. These applications include tool bits used in turning, shaping and milling operations. High speed drill bits are also typically made from HSS. While they generally don’t operate at extremely high speeds, reamers, gear cutters, and saw blades are also made from high-speed steel due to the high temperatures generated during their use. For reference, when purchasing these high speed steel products, they are usually marked with an “HSS” or “HS” stamp for easy identification.
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