HSS Drill Bits
High-speed steel is a type of steel which is extremely resistant to heat and is utilized in the manufacture of tool bits, including HSS drill bits, for machines and other cutting applications. It is used on a wide range of materials. The superior HSS has almost replaced carbon steel bits which were very popular in the mid 1900s in industry, due to its much higher cutting speeds and heat resistance, keeping its hardness (temper) and structural integrity. This benefit enables high speed steel to cut at much faster speeds.
HSS grade bits usually give high abrasion resistance due to the presence of the element tungsten, widely used in HSS. It also has high hardness (greater than HRS 60) when compared to the more common tool and carbon steels.
High speed steel is mostly used in the manufacture of a range of cutting tools such as taps, tool bits, drills, saw blades, gear cutters, milling cutters. Most often however, it is seen in drill bits and power saw blades and also dies and punches.
Fine hand tools such as pocket knives, files, hand plane blades, chisels and fine quality kitchen knives are also made with high speed steels. Because of their greater resistance at high hardness and abrasion – more than carbon steel – this enables them to be operated at the speeds needed for making these finer tools which need a sharp but durable edge.
When undertaking high speed drilling operations, ordinary high-carbon steel does not have the heat tolerance or durability to manage such tasks. Special tool steel has enhanced properties when blended with any one of these various elements: chromium, molybdenum, cobalt, vanadium or tungsten. This is called a multi component alloy system Fe-C-X of which HSS is a part. X can be any one of these listed metals depending on the property desired.
When the alloy of the steel is varied this makes HSS bits suitable for a wide range of tasks in different areas of industry. Some alloys increase flexibility and impact strength and others improve durability of the cutting edge and raise the working temperature. The addition of molybdenum for example increases the flexibility of the HSS bit. It also raises the maximum working temperature and increases wear resistance and toughness.
Adding other elements customizes HSS steel to specific industrial needs. Some elements increase impact strength and flexibility while others raise the maximum working temperature and durability of the cutting edge.
High Carbon: adding this to iron makes steel which is stronger and harder than iron. It can be tempered to a range of hardness levels.
HSS alloys: the HSS label refers to a few different alloy steels which are used in HSS bits. For example, chrome-vanadium steel is doesn’t give out as quickly at high drilling speeds and tempers harder than pure high carbon steel.
Companies that supply drill bits and accessories include Hilti, Irwin and Makita. Along with HSS drill bits, there are many other types on the market including step drill bits, flexible, tile drill bits, brad point, long and short bits, glass and metal.
Tagged with: Abrasion Resistance • Carbon Steels • Drilling Operations • Element Tungsten • Fine Hand Tools • Gear Cutters • Hand Plane • Heat Resistance • Heat Tolerance • High Carbon Steel • High Speed Steel • Impact Strength • Increase Flexibility • Kitchen Knives • Mid 1900s • Milling Cutters • Pocket Knives • Speed Drilling • Speed Steels • Tool Bits
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