T1 Tool Steel | SKH2 | W18Cr4V | HS 18-0-1 | 1.3355 High Speed Steel
T1 steel is a high-speed tool steel known for its excellent wear resistance, high hardness, and good toughness properties. It belongs to the group of tungsten high-speed steels (HSS) and is commonly used in applications requiring high cutting speeds, elevated temperatures, and high wear resistance.
Chemical Composition:
C(%) |
Si(%) |
Mn(%) |
Cr(%) |
W(%) |
V(%) |
P(%) |
S(%) |
0.65-0.80 |
0.20-0.40 |
0.10-0.40 |
3.75-4.50 |
17.25-18.75 |
0.90-1.30 |
≤0.030 |
≤0.030 |
Properties:
- High Hardness: T1 steel exhibits high hardness and retains its cutting edge even at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for high-speed cutting applications.
- Excellent Wear Resistance: It offers excellent wear resistance due to its high tungsten and cobalt content, allowing for extended tool life and reduced downtime.
- Good Toughness: Despite its high hardness, T1 steel possesses good toughness and impact resistance, reducing the risk of chipping or fracturing during machining operations.
- High Heat Resistance: T1 steel can withstand high temperatures generated during cutting operations without losing its hardness or wear resistance, resulting in consistent performance in demanding conditions.
- High Speed Cutting: It is well-suited for high-speed cutting operations in various materials including metals, plastics, and composites, providing efficient material removal and improved productivity.
- Dimensional Stability: T1 steel exhibits good dimensional stability during heat treatment, maintaining tight tolerances and dimensional accuracy in machined parts.
- Edge Retention: It maintains a sharp cutting edge even under continuous use, ensuring consistent cutting performance and minimizing the need for frequent tool changes.
Applications:
- Cutting Tools: T1 steel is widely used in the manufacture of cutting tools such as drills, milling cutters, reamers, taps, and saw blades for machining applications requiring high cutting speeds and wear resistance.
- High-Speed Machining: It finds application in high-speed machining operations including milling, turning, and drilling of ferrous and non-ferrous materials in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing.
- Metalworking: T1 steel is employed in metalworking processes such as metal stamping, punching, and forming where high wear resistance and toughness are required to withstand heavy-duty cutting and forming operations.
- Tool and Die Making: It is used in tool and die making for producing dies, punches, and inserts used in metal forming, forging, and stamping applications requiring high hardness and wear resistance.
- Plastics Processing: T1 steel is utilized in plastics processing for manufacturing injection molds, extrusion dies, and cutting tools for processing thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics with high-speed and precision.
Heat Treatment:
- T1 steel is typically hardened by heating to 1200-1250°C (2190-2280°F), followed by oil quenching to achieve maximum hardness.
- It is then tempered at 540-620°C (1000-1150°F) to achieve the desired combination of hardness and toughness for the intended application.
Surface Treatment:
- Various surface treatments such as coating, nitriding, and PVD (physical vapor deposition) can be applied to enhance surface hardness, wear resistance, and lubricity of T1 steel tools.
Quality Assurance:
- Manufacturers of T1 steel often adhere to international quality standards such as ASTM A600 to ensure the quality and consistency of their products.
- Quality control measures include chemical composition analysis, mechanical property testing, and dimensional inspection to meet customer specifications and requirements.
Environmental Considerations:
- T1 steel is recyclable and can be reclaimed and reused at the end of its service life, contributing to sustainability and environmental responsibility in manufacturing processes.







