High-Speed Steel (HSS)
High-speed steels are tool steels designed to retain cutting hardness at elevated tool-tip temperatures.
Composition & metallurgy
High carbon with substantial molybdenum and/or tungsten plus chromium, vanadium and sometimes cobalt.
Common grades
M2, M35, M42, T1 and related powder-metallurgy HSS grades.
Applications
Drills, taps, end mills, broaches, gear cutters, reamers, saw blades and demanding cold-work tooling.
Engineering characteristics
Excellent red hardness and wear resistance with greater toughness than cemented carbides in many interrupted-cutting applications. Powder metallurgy improves carbide uniformity and toughness.
Known manufacturers
Böhler/voestalpine, Uddeholm, Erasteel, Daido Steel, Proterial and other specialty powder/tool-steel producers.
Specification checks
Confirm the current standard revision, exact product form, heat-treatment condition, mechanical properties, impact requirements where applicable, corrosion environment, welding procedure, dimensions, tolerances, NDT and mill test certification. Similar designations across standards are not automatically equivalent.
Element Folio engineering reference. Manufacturer examples are indicative and product availability changes by plant, region and year.
