High Speed Steels

HSS is a type of tool steel designed to stay hard even at high temperatures during cutting, which allows it to cut faster than a regular carbon steel. It is heavily alloyed with other metals, often cobalt. It is called “high-speed” because HSS tools can cut metals 3 to 4 times faster than traditional high-carbon steel tools without losing their edge. 

High-speed steel is primarily used to manufacture cutting tools that require high hardness, wear resistance and the ability to maintain the sharp edge at elevated temperatures. The key applications and uses of HSS include metalworking, woodworking and industrial applications. 

The major difference between them is that M35 steel contains 5% cobalt, which enhances its hardness at high temperatures and wear resistance. This makes the M35 better for cutting tough materials like stainless steel. M2 is a cost-effective grade for general drilling, while M35 is more efficient at cutting materials at high speed. You can buy them according to your needs, and these are easily available at any steel distributor of High-Speed Steel in India. 

Carbide is generally best for high-speed and precision production due to its extreme hardness. HSS is better for low-budget and high-impact tasks due to its toughness and ease of sharpening. HSS is tougher and less prone to breaking as compared to carbide, which makes High-speed steel better for jobs with vibration and high-speed cuts.

You should use cobalt HSS when working on any hard or heat-resistant material like stainless steel or any other high-tensile alloys. They are most suitable for high-temperature applications, as they retain sharpness better than standard HSS. It should be operated at a lower speed to prevent premature breakage. 

For a small-scale industry in Punjab manufacturing fasteners, the best High-speed steel grades generally depend on whether the application involves cold heading or tool-based drilling. The M2 grade is the most balanced choice for general-purpose, and M42 is preferred for high-performance and long-lasting tools. You can get these high-grade steels from the best reputable steel company in Punjab, India. 

Yes, to get high hardness, HSS requires precise heat treatment to reach its final strength. HSS steel generally does not need to be hardened after machining, but if HSS is bent at a soft state, it must be heat-treated.

HSS is tough, but it should be operated at a lower speed to prevent its premature damage. When this steel is treated at extremely high speed, it can break, and the other reasons for its breakage could be that the feed rate is wrong or the tool is not supported properly. It can also happen when the heat treatment has made it extremely hard but liable to break easily. 

Yes, one of the greatest advantages of using HSS is that you can reground them even after multiple times, giving you multiple lives before discarding them. This is because they are durable, easy to reshape and can be sharpened multiple times until they are too short to use. 

No, HSS is of high grade, but it is not rust-proof. It has some chromium, but it can rust when exposed to moisture for a long time. To prevent it from rusting, proper coating of alloys and regular lubrication are important for its maintenance.

As per the latest, the price of HSS steel in India typically ranges from 600 to 1200 rupees per kg. The price range varies according to the grade and steel supplier in India. 

Cobalt tools are more expensive because they offer red hardness, which means their capability to withstand extreme temperatures and cut tough metals like stainless steel without any failure. It significantly boosts the performance and lifespan of the tool, providing lower costs for a long time.