Quenched and tempered steel

High Speed Steel

High Speed Steel, also known as HSS, is a standard material used in metalworking worldwide. It provides a high level of performance and is characterized by its high resistance to wear, abrasion and heat.

High Speed Steel is a tool steel that has a good balance of strength, toughness and wear-resistance. It can be heat-treated and hardened to attain a wide range of hardness, ranging from Soft to Hard. Its wear resistance is due to its high content of alloying elements, such as molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium and chromium. These elements, together with its carbon content, give the steel a capability to maintain its sharpness for longer, allowing for extended tool life.

High Speed Steel is most often used for cutting tools and dies, such as drill bits, threading tools, reamers, cutters and broaches, as well as dies and punches. It is also used for cutting tools and punches in medical instruments, jewelry, and precision miniaturization parts. HSS is often used to make taps and dies, as its high abrasion resistance and wear resistance allow it to hold its shape and cut cleanly through the threaded material.

High Speed Steel is made through several processes. After its initial smelting and forming, it is heat treated through a process of carburization and air hardening. This process involves introducing a precise amount of carbon into the steel to provide desired characteristics. After this, an additional heat treatment may be used to further harden the steel, giving it even greater resistance to wear and abrasion.

In conclusion, High Speed Steel is an incredibly durable and versatile tool steel, allowing it to be used in a variety of applications. It provides higher resistance to wear and abrasion, and its ability to be heat-treated allow it to possess a wide range of hardness. Its application in various tools and metals can be used to benefit any metalworking process that requires a precise cutting or forming. High Speed Steel is a cost-effective solution for those looking to maximize their efficiency by improving the performance of their tools.

Ferritic nitrocarburizing, also referred to as ferritic nitrocarburizing, is a process that uses nitriding to diffuse nitrogen and carbon into the surface of ferrous metals, effectively hardening and improving surface corrosion resistance. It also enhances surface lubrication and is suitable for most components or products involving mechanical and structural components. This process has rapidly become the preferred way to finish components for industries such as printing and paper, automotive, aerospace and general engineering.

The ferritic nitrocarburizing process involves coating the steel with a ferro–nitro–carburizing bath. During the process, nitrogen and carbon are diffused into the surface of the steel, creating an outer layer of iron nitride with a hardness up to 67-68 HRC. This process increases surface hardness, wear resistance and fatigue strength. This process also improves corrosion resistance, as the surface of the steel is primarily composed of iron nitride/iron carbonitride, which is more resistant to corrosion than plain carbon steel.

The process also provides good lubricity, which is beneficial for components that involve sliding or pivoting motion. The nitriding process also seals the surface of the steel, forming a build up of tight oxide films that create a passivation layer. This layer, also known as a diffusion zone, can help to improve the surface finish of the steel and also prevent metal-metal contact in high stress areas.

Overall, the process of ferritic nitrocarburizing is beneficial in providing improved surface hardness, wear resistance and fatigue strength. Additionally, it helps to increase the corrosion resistance of the metal and it improves the surface finish even further. Lastly, it increases the lubricity of the metal, allowing for smooth contact and operation. As it can be seen, this process is extremely beneficial for a variety of steel components and is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for a multitude of industrial applications.