High-speed steel is a tool material which refers to steels that are able to maintain good hardness and high wear resistance at temperatures up to five times higher than those of the high carbon tool steels. It was invented in 1912 and has seen much development since then. Its main applications include, but are not limited to, cutting tools, milling cutters, indexable inserts and reamers. High-speed steels are used in a variety of ways, ranging from hobbyists and professionals to high production facilities.
In China, high-speed steels are generally designated by their Chinese Steel Standard (GB) numbers. Popular grades of high-speed steel include:
1. M2/SKH51
M2/SKH51 is a high-speed steel with a higher carbon content that has excellent wear and abrasion resistance. Its chemistry is as follows:
Elements (%, max)
Carbon: 0.9
Silicon: 0.35
Manganese: 0.4
Phosphorus: 0.04
Sulfur: 0.04
Chromium: 4.75
Molybdenum: 4
Tungsten: 8.25
Vanadium: 6.75
2. M35/SKH55
M35/SKH55 is a high-speed steel that contains a higher amount of cobalt. It maintains high wear resistance and can be hardened to be suitable for a variety of uses. Its chemical composition are as follows:
Elements (%, max)
Carbon: 1.3
Silicon: 0.35
Manganese: 0.4
Phosphorus: 0.04
Sulfur: 0.03
Chromium: 4.6
Molybdenum: 4.5
Tungsten: 8.6
Vanadium: 6
Cobalt: 6
3. M42/SKH59
M42/SKH59 is a high-speed steel with an elevated amount of cobalt and tungsten that has excellent wear resistance, hardness and abrasion resistance. The chemical composition are as follows:
Elements (%, max)
Carbon: 0.9
Silicon: 0.35
Manganese: 0.4
Phosphorus: 0.04
Sulfur: 0.03
Chromium: 4.2
Molybdenum: 5
Tungsten: 12
Vanadium: 6
Cobalt: 6
4. M50/SKH57
M50/SKH57 is a high-speed steel alloy with a lower carbon content and increased amounts of cobalt, tungsten and vanadium. Its enhanced wear resistance and toughness make it well suited for metal cutting applications. The chemical composition are as follows:
Elements (%, max)
Carbon: 0.65
Silicon: 0.35
Manganese: 0.4
Phosphorus: 0.04
Sulfur: 0.03
Chromium: 4.2
Molybdenum: 4
Tungsten: 13
Vanadium: 13
Cobalt: 6
5. M2AL/SKH54
M2AL/SKH54 is a high-speed steel which exhibits excellent wear resistance and machinability. It contains a higher proportion of cobalt and has a lower carbon content. The chemical composition are as follows:
Elements (%, max)
Carbon: 0.7
Silicon: 0.35
Manganese: 0.4
Phosphorus: 0.04
Sulfur: 0.03
Chromium: 4.2
Molybdenum: 4
Tungsten: 10
Vanadium: 6
Cobalt: 8
High-speed steels have been used in the cutting tool industry for decades due to their superior mechanical properties, such as high wear resistance, high hardness and high temperature resistance. They are ideal for machining applications that require extreme temperatures, such as high speed machining. In addition, they are often used in medical, aerospace and military applications due to their ability to withstand high pressure, extreme temperatures and corrosive environments.
High-speed steels have quickly become the preferred material used to manufacture cutting tools and are found in a wide variety of applications. Whether you are a professional machinist, an amateur hobbyist or a high production facility, high-speed steel will more than likely be the material of choice. Its superior mechanical properties and ability to withstand higher temperatures make it the ideal material for any cutting tool application.
