What is High-Speed Steel?
Knowing the differences and characteristics of steels are important. In this article, we will focus on high speed steel and their characteristics. We will cover:
What is high-speed steel used for?
High-speed steel is engineered to manufacture industrial cutting tools. Traditional high-carbon steels are also used to make cutting tools. So what's the difference between high carbon steel and high speed steels?
Let’s start with high-speed steel carbon percentage. This ranges between 0.5% – 0.08%. That’s a lower content than high-carbon steel, which falls between 0.60% – 1.5%.
Compare that to stainless steel, which contains less than 1.2% carbon. Stainless steel is better suited for cam locks and cam latches, butt and leaf hinges, and latches. You can learn more in our guide, What are the differences between carbon steel and stainless steel?
What are the characteristics of high-speed steel?
The additional carbon in high-carbon steel makes it stronger than high-speed steel. Both have excellent abrasion resistance, but unlike high-speed steel, traditional high-carbon steels lack the ability to retain their shape over time compared to HSS. The wear resistance of high-speed steel makes it the superior material when precision cuts are needed, while extending the life of the cutting tools. High-speed steel can also cut metals at high speeds, around three to four times faster than high-carbon steels. This is where the name “high-speed steel” comes from.
You can learn more about carbon steels in our guide, Low, Medium, and High-Carbon Steel: Everything You Need to Know.
What are the properties of high-speed steel?
High-speed steel properties come down to its blend of metals. In addition to carbon, the most common high-speed steel also includes:
- 18% tungsten
- 4% chromium
- 1% vanadium
Hence, this is why this is also called 18-4-1 high-speed steel. These elements combine to create exceptionally hard carbides with abrasion resistance. This in turn maintains the edge of the cutting tools, even in high-temperature environments.
Adding different elements can give high-speed steel different characteristics. For example, cobalt high-speed steel, or rather, adding cobalt, gives this steel resistance to even higher temperatures than normal. Adding more vanadium to high-speed steel removes slag and impurities, which increases the steel’s abrasion resistance. Combining molybdenum gives high-speed steel even greater cutting ability and toughness.
High-speed steels can generally retain their cutting properties at temperatures:
- 600°C to 620°C, or 1112°F to 1148°F – some even higher
Applications of high-speed steel
These steels are typically used for machining high grade alloys and other materials at high speeds. Their hardness, wear resistance and ability to withstand higher temperatures make high speed steel tools suited for construction, furniture manufacturing and industrial machinery. Examples include:
End mills – Used in precision milling cutters
Lathe tools – Used to machine materials such as steel, brass, aluminium, wood, and plastic
Saw blades – Strong and durable for cutting metals or wood
Gear cutters – Machine gears on either CNC mills or manual mills
Drill bit – Perfect for ensuring accuracy when drilling
High-speed steel advantages and disadvantages
Using an application of high-speed steel has its advantages. But you need to consider high-speed steels’ disadvantages when choosing a steel for specific uses. Here’s help in making an informed decision about whether or not high-speed steel is right for you.
| Advantages of high-speed steel | Disadvantages of high-speed steel |
|---|---|
| Withstands high temperatures: 600°C to 620°C | Low bending strength |
| Hardness – ideal for cutting and drilling through hard materials such as metals and alloys | Poor impact toughness |
| Wear resistance – Can last longer than other carbon and stainless steels, even under heavy use | High brittleness |
| Withstands shock and impact forces, making it ideal for use in high-performance cutting tools | Low impact resistance |
| Easy to machine – ideal where precision counts | Low vibration resistance |
| High cutting speeds – faster to cut than traditional alloys | Must be strengthened by heat treatment |
Cost of high-speed steel
High-speed steel is typically more expensive than other steels. The elements that make high-speed steels, such as tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, and cobalt, increase its hardness, wear resistance, and toughness. But these elements are expensive and difficult to extract, which contributes to the higher cost.
Then there’s the manufacturing process, which involves multiple stages of heating, rolling, and annealing. This adds to the production cost. However, despite its higher cost, high-speed steel is often preferred when cutting tools demand precision. This is where the cutting tools affect the production process.
Sustainability should also be a concern in your processes. Learn more in How technology can help manufacturing to become sustainable.
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