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High speed steels (often abbreviated HSS) are ferrous based alloys of the Fe–C–X multicomponent system where X represents a group of alloying elements comprising mainly Cr, W or Mo, V, and Co. These steels are mainly used for cutting tools, since they are characterized by their capacity to retain a high level of hardness while cutting metals at high speed. Generally, the X component is present in excess of 7%, along with more than 0.60% carbon.
Produces aluminum oxide layer at high temperature which reduces thermal conductivity, transferring heat into the chip. Excellent in dry machining, machining titanium alloys, inconel, stainless alloys and cast iron. Not recommended for use in aluminum and aluminum alloys.