Cutting tools made of High-Speed Steel (HSS) achieve high hot hardness, wear resistance and fracture resistance at a hardness of over 60 to 67 HRC through hardening and tempering. The main alloying elements are Carbon, Tungsten, Molybdenum, Vanadium, Cobalt and Chromium. The high contents of carbide-forming elements lead to the formation of wear-resistant carbides in the microstructure of HSS.
High‑Speed Steels are engineered for the most demanding metal cutting applications -including drilling, milling, threading, broaching, gear cutting, reaming as well as cold work tooling and precision manufacturing – where consistent quality, long tool life, wear resistance, hot hardness, and toughness are essential. Combining advanced alloy design through powder metallurgical technology (PM), these steels deliver high edge retention, thermal stability above 600 °C and outstanding fracture resistance.
Premium PM grades known as BÖHLER MICROCLEAN and Uddeholm SuperClean microstructures offer exceptional carbide uniformity, ensuring longer tool life, fewer tool changes, and highly reproducible tool performance. It makes BÖHLER and Uddeholm High‑Speed Steel grades the preferred choice for industrial cutting tools, automotive tooling, consumer goods tooling, and precision cold‑forming applications. The extensive portfolio enables tailored solutions for demanding cutting tools applications, while value‑adding services -heat treatment, and PVD coatings further optimize tool performance. Developed and produced in the specialized BÖHLER plant located in Kapfenberg, Austria and Uddeholm plant located in Hagfors, Sweden, these HSS materials provide the reliability, durability and productivity required for modern high‑precision manufacturing.
BÖHLER S290 MICROCLEAN – “The hard stuff” The unusual alloy point of this bridge material between carbide and high-speed steel gives it a hardness of up to 70 HRC. In addition to its hot hardness and good wear resistance, its compressive strength is one of the most important properties of this powder-metallurgical high-speed steel class.
Read MoreBÖHLER S390 MICROCLEAN – “The decathlete” This grade is our PM steel with many positive usage properties. For twist drills, taps, mills, broaches, or cold-work applications, BÖHLER S390 MICROCLEAN is always a high performer.
Read MoreBÖHLER S600 – “The high-speed steel” Ideal for mills, twist drills, and taps, broaches, cold-work tools. BÖHLER S600 is the most commonly used high-speed steel and is the starting material for our customers who deal with high-speed steel.
Read MoreBÖHLER S705 – “The industrial one” The conventional high-speed steel for industrial applications in machining. With a well-balanced alloy position and cobalt content, this type always manages to get the job done. Cobalt-alloyed molybdenum high-speed steel with high hardness, excellent cutting properties, outstanding compressive strength, high hot hardness, and good toughness.
Read MoreBÖHLER S790 MICROCLEAN – “The 1st MICROCLEAN” High-speed steel manufactured in a powder metallurgy process, with good hot hardness, compressive strength, and wear resistance. PM technology gives it good toughness and excellent workability, including the best machinability.
Read MoreExisting customers – need quotes fast?
Check stock availability and get pricing 24/7. Ask your local voestalpine sales team about access to our digital webshop.
Please Note: select the Melbourne office for all Adelaide and South Australia enquiries.