Powder Metallurgy (Pm) High Speed Steel

High Speed Steel (HSS) is a high-performance tool steel material widely used for cutting, drilling, milling, turning, tapping and other demanding machining applications. IMI Special Steels & Alloys offers a comprehensive range of High Speed Steel grades designed to meet the requirements of industries that depend on hardness, wear resistance, toughness and reliable cutting performance. Our High Speed Steel range includes M2 (1.3343), M35 (1.3243), M42 (1.3247), T1 (1.3355), T15 (1.3202), T42 (1.3245) and M7 (1.3348), providing customers with material options for a wide variety of tooling and machining requirements.

High Speed Steel is selected for applications where cutting tools need to maintain their hardness and performance under demanding working conditions. The material combines high hardness with high wear resistance, good toughness and impact resistance, making it suitable for tools that are exposed to repeated cutting forces. Depending on the grade and application, High Speed Steel can also be heat-treated to achieve the required hardness and wear resistance, helping manufacturers achieve dependable tool performance and longer service life.

At IMI Special Steels & Alloys, our High Speed Steel range is intended to support a broad spectrum of industrial tooling requirements. Whether the requirement is for drilling and tapping tools, machining tools, broaching and form tools, high-speed machining applications, turning tools, milling tools or sawing tools, the appropriate HSS grade can provide the required combination of hardness, toughness and resistance to wear. The material is also suitable for machining challenging materials such as titanium and stainless steel, where cutting tools are subjected to demanding operating conditions.

One of the key advantages of High Speed Steel is its high wear resistance. Cutting tools gradually experience wear during machining, and excessive tool wear can affect dimensional accuracy, surface finish and overall productivity. High Speed Steel helps provide increased tool life by offering strong resistance to wear. Longer tool life can reduce the frequency of tool replacement and help minimise interruptions in machining operations, making HSS a practical material choice for production environments where consistent performance is important.

Another important characteristic of High Speed Steel is its toughness and impact resistance. Cutting operations can involve repeated mechanical forces, vibration and intermittent cutting conditions. A suitable HSS grade can provide the toughness required to withstand these conditions while maintaining the functional performance of the cutting tool. This combination of hardness and toughness makes High Speed Steel suitable for a variety of industrial tools where both durability and cutting performance are important.

High Speed Steel also provides improved cutting performance and accuracy when the correct grade is selected for the application. Reduced tool wear can help maintain tool geometry for longer periods, supporting dimensional consistency and reliable machining results. For manufacturers and tool users, this can contribute to improved productivity, reduced tool replacement requirements and better overall efficiency in machining operations.

IMI Special Steels & Alloys provides High Speed Steel in a variety of forms to accommodate different manufacturing and tooling requirements. Available shapes include round bars, flat bars, square blocks and bars, as well as sheets and plates. This range of available forms allows customers to select the appropriate material format according to their machining process, tooling design and fabrication requirements.

Our High Speed Steel product range includes M2 (1.3343), a widely used HSS grade for general-purpose cutting and tooling applications. M35 (1.3243) and M42 (1.3247) provide additional grade options for applications requiring specific combinations of hardness, wear resistance and cutting performance. The range also includes T1 (1.3355), T15 (1.3202), T42 (1.3245) and M7 (1.3348), enabling customers to select materials according to their specific tooling and machining requirements.

In addition to conventional High Speed Steel, IMI Special Steels & Alloys also offers Powder Metallurgy (PM) High Speed Steel for applications where enhanced wear resistance, toughness and heat resistance are required. PM High Speed Steel is a premium material for cutting tools and is available in grades such as ASP 2030, ASP 2023, ASP 2052 and ASP 2060. The powder metallurgy route provides a material option for demanding tooling applications where long tool life and reliable cutting performance are important considerations.

PM High Speed Steel offers high wear resistance that can contribute to extended tool life and reduced downtime. Its excellent toughness provides high impact strength and resistance to shock, while its high heat resistance helps maintain hardness at elevated temperatures. The supplied product information specifies hardness retention up to 650°C (1200°F), making PM HSS suitable for demanding cutting environments. Improved cutting performance can also support faster cutting speeds and better surface finish when the material is correctly matched to the application.

The benefits of PM High Speed Steel extend across productivity, accuracy and tooling economics. Longer tool life can help reduce downtime and improve production efficiency, while reduced tool wear and vibration can contribute to improved accuracy. Extended tool life can also reduce replacement requirements and associated tooling costs. PM HSS is therefore particularly suitable for applications where cutting tools operate under demanding conditions and require a combination of wear resistance, toughness and heat resistance.

PM High Speed Steel can be used for a variety of cutting tools, including twist drills, step drills, end mills, face mills, lathe tools, hand taps, machine taps and broaching tools. Available forms include round bars, flat bars and blocks, square bars, sheets and plates. These options provide flexibility for tool manufacturers and industrial users requiring PM HSS material in different dimensions and configurations.

High Speed Steel remains an important material for industries involved in precision machining, tooling and manufacturing because of its ability to provide a useful balance of hardness, wear resistance, toughness and cutting performance. The selection of the appropriate grade depends on the tooling design, machining conditions, work material and required performance characteristics. IMI Special Steels & Alloys supports these requirements with a broad range of HSS grades and material forms.

With a focus on quality products, extensive inventory and timely delivery, IMI Special Steels & Alloys serves customers looking for dependable special steel and tooling material solutions. Our High Speed Steel range is suitable for manufacturers, tool rooms and industrial users requiring reliable materials for drilling, tapping, milling, turning, broaching, sawing and other machining applications. From conventional HSS grades to premium Powder Metallurgy High Speed Steel, our product range provides material choices for a wide variety of demanding industrial requirements.

If you are looking for High Speed Steel for your specific tooling or machining requirement, contact IMI Special Steels & Alloys with your required grade, size, shape and material specification. Our team can assist you in identifying the appropriate High Speed Steel product and available form for your application.