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 MC90 INTERMET is the revolutionary cutting material supporting enhanced requirements for improved productivity and highest quality in the gear cutting industry. Its unique alloying composition and properties build the basis for the next generation of tools competing in spheres, where up to now only cemented carbide was applied. Hardenability up to 68 HRC.
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 S590 MICROCLEAN – “The expert” 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, such as the best machinability.
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 MoreUddeholm Vanadis 30 SuperClean is a cobalt alloyed powder metallurgy high speed steel with excellent compressive strength and good abrasive wear resistance. Uddeholm Vanadis 30 SuperClean is suitable for demanding cold work applications and for cutting tools as an alternative to AISI M42 or other co-alloyed HSS. The PM process gives a good machinability and grindability as well as a good dimension stability during heat treatment. In east/south east asian countries served by Assab, Uddeholm Vanadis 30 SuperClean is sold as Assab PM 30 Superclean. Benefits Good wear resistance High hot hardeness and temper back resistance High compressive strength Standard specification W.nr 1.3294 / AISI D2 / AFNOR Z130 KWDCV 9.6.5.4.3
Read MoreUddeholm Vanadis 60 SuperClean is a high alloyed powder metallurgical high speed steel suitable for very demanding cold work applications and for cutting tools. The high carbon and alloying content, Co, Mo, W and V, gives an extremely high compressive strength, 69 HRC, combined with a very good abrasive wear resistance. For cutting tool applications Uddeholm Vanadis 60 SuperClean offers a unique combination of high wear resistance, hot hardness and good toughness compared to all other HSS. The P/M process ensures a good machinability and grindability together with a good dimensional stability during heat treatment. In east/south east asian countries served by Assab Uddeholm Vanadis 60 SuperClean is sold as Assab PM 60 Superclean. Benefits Excellent wear resistance for long run tooling Highest hot hardeness and temper back resistance Highest compressive strength Standard specification AISI D2 / AFNOR Z230 KDWVC 11.7.7.7.4
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