High speed tool steel (GBT 9943 - 1988)
High speed tool steel (zero speed steel) is one of the most popular and important steels used in the production of cutting tools. It is a type of material with a very high hardness, which allows it to remove material quickly when cutting. As the name implies, it is designed to be used at very high speeds, such as that produced by a machine tool.
High speed tool steel has a greater resistance to wear and a higher tensile strength than many other tool steels. High speed tool steels also hold a superior edge and superior wear and abrasion resistance. This makes them ideal for applications where extreme wear is expected. It is also very easy to machine and is fairly forgiving to work with.
High speed tool steels are optimised for use in high speed cutting tools, where their properties allow them to resist deformation and take the wear, rather than the cutting tools. This helps provide improved edge holding and wear resistance that, when combined with their higher machinability, give these steels a good balance between speed and quality of cut.
High speed tool steel is often used in a variety of applications, such as milling and drilling, saw blades and cold forming. It is also used in combination with other alloys to increase the wear resistance, such as in drill bits and saw blades. As such, it is a commonly used material in the tool-making industry.
High speed tool steel is available in a variety of grades for a range of performance levels, including pre-hardened and oil-hardened blocks, rounds, strips and blanks. These pre-hardened and oil-hardened blocks can be used for saw blades and other machining tools. The strips, blanks and rounds are generally used for high-speed blanking, drilling and forming applications.
High speed tool steel grades are categorised according to the following grades according to GBT 9943 - 1988 and their steel varieties:
Type A: This type of high speed tool steel is a commonly used general purpose tool steel. It offers a combination of good abrasion and wear resistance, excellent machinability and a combination of good hardness and toughness.
Type B: This is a high wear and abrasion resistant grade of high speed tool steel, offering superior wear and abrasion resistance. It is also known for its machinability, giving the ability to machine at higher speeds and feed rates.
Type C: This type of high speed tool steel is a high toughness grade, offering outstanding toughness, excellent machinability and wear resistance. It is primarily used for heavy-duty tools and can be used in applications where high impact is expected.
Type D: This type of high speed tool steel is a high hardenability grade, offering good wear and abrasion resistance. It is commonly used for cold forging dies, cutting tools, shear blades and trimming dies.
High speed tool steel is a versatile and popular steel that is used in many industries. It is strong and durable, offering excellent cutting performance and a range of different grades to suit different applications. It is generally easy to machine, making it ideal for production runs, and is a popular choice for use in tool-making and machining operations.
