HSSverktyg

HSSverktyg (from the English term High-Speed Steel tools) refers to cutting and machining tools made from high-speed steel (HSS), an alloy designed to retain hardness and cutting performance at elevated temperatures. Developed in the early 20th century, HSS is widely used for drill bits, taps, reamers, end mills, saw blades and other hand and machine cutting tools.

HSS alloys typically contain elements such as tungsten or molybdenum, chromium, vanadium and sometimes cobalt, which provide wear resistance, toughness and “red hardness”—the ability to withstand heat generated during cutting without losing hardness. Common families include tungsten-based and molybdenum-based grades, with cobalt-enhanced variants offering greater hot-hardness for demanding applications.

HSSverktyg are valued for their toughness and resistance to shock, making them suitable for interrupted cuts, manual drilling and work on tougher or abrasive materials. They are generally easier to resharpen than cemented carbide tools and cost-effective for many general-purpose tasks. Coatings such as titanium nitride (TiN) or titanium carbonitride (TiCN) are often applied to improve wear resistance and tool life.

Limitations include lower maximum cutting speeds compared with carbide and reduced efficiency in some high-production environments. Proper use includes selecting the correct grade, appropriate speeds and feeds, cooling or lubrication when required, and routine sharpening. HSS tools are widely recycled and remain common in metalworking, woodworking and maintenance toolkits.