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HSS drills in metal machining
HSS drills are made of high-strength high-speed steel, which is characterized by high hardness, resistance to abrasion and temperature, and good resistance to deformation. They are widely used in both manual and machine machining thanks to their versatility and durability.
Are you looking for an HSS drill or another machining tool ? Check our offer from renowned manufacturers. Contact us and speak with our representative for expert advice and a convenient offer.
High-speed steel - properties
High-speed steel (HSS) is a type of high-strength steel used primarily to manufacture cutting tools such as metal drills, milling cutters, turning tools, taps, etc. This steel contains elements that give it high hardness and abrasion resistance, which is essential for tools subjected to heavy loads and high temperatures during machining processes.
The main components of high-speed steel are carbon (usually in the range of 0.7-1.5%), chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, cobalt, and sometimes additives such as tungsten. These components, especially chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum, give high-speed steel its characteristic properties, such as:
- High hardness: High-speed steel is known for its high hardness, which allows cutting tools to maintain the sharpness of the cutting edge for a long time.
- High abrasion resistance: Thanks to special chemical components, high-speed steel is highly resistant to abrasion, which means tools made from this steel have a longer service life.
- High temperature resistance: High-speed steel retains its mechanical properties even at high temperatures, which is crucial when machining high-hardness materials or machining at high rotational speeds.
- Good deformation resistance: Tools made of high-speed steel retain their shape and dimensions even during intensive use, ensuring machining accuracy.
- Good machinability: Despite its high hardness, high-speed steel is still relatively easy to machine, which facilitates the production of precision tools.
High-speed steel is an extremely important material in the metalworking industry, and its properties make it indispensable in many applications requiring high strength and durability of cutting tools such as metal drills.
Applications and markings of HSS drills
The main application of HSS drills is drilling in metal. These are suitable drills for stainless steel, hard metals, carbon steel, and many other materials. Example markings that can be found in descriptions of metal drills include:
- HSS-E drills - drilling tools with added cobalt. Cobalt drills feature greater hardness, abrasion resistance, and resistance to high temperatures, making the drills more durable and efficient.
- HSSE-PM drills - powder steel drills. Produced from metallic powder under high pressure and temperature in a compact sintering process. This production method enables the creation of drills with more complex shapes and designs than traditional drills, allowing better mechanical properties and performance to be achieved.
- HSS-G drills - their cutting edges are produced by very precise grinding
- HSS-R drills - manufactured by rolling
Metal drills - manufacturers
There are many renowned manufacturers of high-speed steel drills who offer high-quality cutting tools that ensure precise and efficient hole drilling. Here are several well-known manufacturers available from us - metal drills and more:
- Nachi HHS-E drills made of powder steel,
- Osawa drills,
- Kyocera drills.
The choice of a specific manufacturer may depend on specific application needs, product availability, and user preferences. In every case, it is important to choose a reputable manufacturer offering high-quality tools that will meet machining requirements.