High-speed steel

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Steels
Phases
Ferrite Austenite Cementite Martensite Graphite
Microstructures
Spheroidite Pearlite Bainite Ledeburite Tempered martensite Widmanstätten structures
Classes
Crucible steel Carbon steel Spring steel Alloy steel Maraging steel Stainless steel High-speed steel Weathering steel Tool steel
Other iron-based materials
Cast iron Gray iron White iron Ductile iron Malleable iron Wrought iron

High-speed steel (HSS or HS) is a subset of tool steels, commonly used as cutting tool material.

It is superior to high-carbon steel tools in that it can withstand higher temperatures without losing its temper (hardness). This property allows HSS to cut faster than high carbon steel, hence the name high-speed steel. At room temperature, in their generally recommended heat treatment, HSS grades generally display high hardness (above 60 Rockwell C) and abrasion resistance compared with common carbon and tool steels. There are several different types of high speed steel, such as M42 and M2.^[1]