Introduction
Cutting steels is an important process used in the metalworking industry. With advancing technology, the machining process is becoming more efficient and faster, making it possible to produce parts with higher precision and lower cost. The type of cutting steel used is important to achieve the desired results in the machining process. There are different types of cutting steels with various grades and characteristics suitable for various processes and applications. This article provides an overview of the various types of cutting steels, their features and grades available in the market.
Types of Cutting Steels
The most common types of cutting steels include high speed steel and tool steel. High speed steel (HSS) is typically used for cutting tool products in manufacturing applications that require speed, strength and hardness. HSS is designed to resist damage from high heat and can maintain cutting edge sharpness at high speeds. In comparison, tool steel is designed for wear resistance and greater strength at lower cutting speeds. This type of steel is used for punches, dies, dies blanks, drill bits, shear blades and other cutting tools.
High Speed Steel Grades
There are various grades of high speed steel available in the market such as M2, M4, M7 and M42. M2 is an ideal grade for cutting tools that require high wear resistance, high heat resistance and superior toughness. M4 has a high wear resistance and is suitable for cutting tools that need strength and wear resistance. M7 is a hard wearing grade and suitable for cutting tools that require high wear resistance and superior toughness. Lastly, M42 is designed for cutting tools that require superior wear resistance and superior heat resistance.
Tool Steel Grades
There are also various grades of tool steel available such as D2, D3, O1 and A2. D2 is a grade of tool steel known for its superior wear resistance and toughness. D3 is a grade of tool steel designed for superior toughness and wear resistance. O1 is a grade of tool steel designed for superior strength and wear resistance. Lastly, A2 is a grade of tool steel designed for superior hardness, strength, and wear resistance.
Conclusion
Cutting steels are important elements in the metalworking industry. There are various types of cutting steels available in the market such as high speed steel and tool steel. High speed steel comes in grades such as M2, M4, M7, and M42 and is suitable for cutting tools that require speed, strength and hardness. Tool steel also comes in grades such as D2, D3, O1 and A2 and is suitable for cutting tools that require wear resistance and toughness. With the right grade of cutting steel, it is possible to achieve desired results in the machining process.
