12 High Speed Steel Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for high speed steel as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 12 high speed steel manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked high speed steel companies as of November, 2024: 1.Griggs Steel Co., 2.COREMARK Metals., 3.Stanford Advanced Materials.
Table of Contents
What Is High Speed Steel?
High Speed Steel is one of the materials used for cutting tools in metalworking.
It was developed to be a material for tools that enable cutting of metal materials at higher speeds. High speed steel is a high carbon steel with alloying elements. It is sometimes referred to as "HSS" for short.
HSS can be used for almost all workpiece materials, but the cutting point temperature must be 600°C or lower because the hardness of the steel decreases rapidly at temperatures above that.
Uses of High Speed Steel
High Speed Steel, as the name implies, is a material developed for high speed cutting. It is often used for cutting tools and blades. At the time of its development, it was designed for high-speed cutting, but today, cemented carbide tools, made from cemented carbide, are more capable of high-speed cutting.
In addition to cutting tools, it is also used for cold working tools and for molds for plastic forming, taking advantage of its superior wear resistance and hardness.
Properties of High Speed Steel
High Speed Steel is the hardest type of steel, but it is softer than cemented carbide, making it resistant to impact during machining. It has the advantage of being less prone to defects such as tool cracking, chipping, and breakage, and is superior when chipping resistance is required or when cost is to be reduced.
On the other hand, it has the disadvantage of being susceptible to heat during machining due to its property of rapidly losing hardness at temperatures above about 600°C. Therefore, care must be taken to prevent heat from being applied to the tool, such as by reducing the cutting speed and using coolant appropriately.
Compared to cemented carbide tools, which excel in cutting speed, wear resistance, and heat resistance, high speed steel has many disadvantages. Especially in the machining of mass-produced products, where machining efficiency directly affects cost, more parts can be machined in the same amount of time using cemented carbide tools.
As a result, even though carbide tools cost more per tool, in many cases, carbide tools are superior in terms of cost because of their longer life and faster machining.
Types of High Speed Speed Tool Steel
High Speed Steel can be roughly divided into two types: tungsten-based (W-based) and molybdenum-based (Mo-based).
1. Tungsten Type
Tungsten high speed steels are high-carbon steels to which tungsten or other elements are added.
18% tungsten is the basic type, also called 18-4-1 type, where 18 stands for tungsten, 4 for chromium (Cr), and 1 for vanadium (V). It is mainly used for lathe turning tools.
2. Molybdenum Type
Molybdenum high-speed steels were developed as a lower-cost version of tungsten-based steels. It contains about 5% molybdenum and 6% tungsten.
Compared to the tungsten type, it is superior in hardness and viscosity, and is used for drills that are subject to impact because of its impact resistance.
The addition of cobalt to both tungsten-based and molybdenum-based steels increases their wear resistance compared to those without cobalt, and they are selected when stronger wear resistance is required.
Other Information on High Speed Steel
Hardness of High Speed Steel
High Speed Steel has a Vickers hardness of 722 HV. S45C, a carbon steel commonly used in general steel products, is 201-269 HV, indicating that it is very hard among steels.
Cemented Carbide has a hardness of 1700-2050 HV, which is about three times that of high speed steel, making it the most frequently used tool in the cutting process.
Therefore, high speed steel, which is inexpensive and easy to regrind with a grinder, is second only to cemented carbide tools in the field of machining.
List of 12 High Speed Steel Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- China
- India
- Japan
- United Kingdom
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Stanford Advanced Materials
M7 High Speed Tool Steel Flat Bar
Manufacturer Overview
Stanford Advanced Materials was established in 1994 in Lake Forest, California to provide rare-earth products for research and development purposes. Stanford Advanced Materials serves many industries ranging from automotive to fashion to energy to research to sports to textiles. Stanford Advanced Materials manufactures and distributes purified metals, ceramics, composite materials including strips, plates, rods, wires, and bars, as well as laboratory equipment and optical equipment including crystals, lenses, splitters, and windows.
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COREMARK Metals.
HOT ROLLED STEEL FLAT BAR
Distributor Overview
COREMARK Metals is a metals distributor that was established in 1992 and is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, USA. The company, which stocks over 12,000 prime materials, provides metals such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, copper and brass in different grades, shapes, and sizes. Its hardware department supplies products that include, abrasives, d-rings, fasteners, hand tools and power tools. Coremark’s products find application in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and automotive. The company also offers services, including shearing, forming and welding, HD plasma, flame and tube laser cutting, machining and aluminum plate sawing.
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Griggs Steel Co.
M2 High Speed Steel
Distributor Overview
Griggs Steel Co., headquartered in Michigan, USA, is a supplier and distributor of steel products founded in 1974. The company distributes specialty steel products, including tool, high-speed, and precision ground flat stock. These steel products provide strength, hardness, and wear resistance, making steel ideal for various industrial applications. High-speed steel is one of its key product categories offered by the company. It can maintain cutting performance at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for applications such as drilling and milling. The company's products are utilized in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, tool, and die-making.
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NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP.
High speed tool steels
Manufacturer Overview
NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP. is a Japanese manufacturer of industrial machinery and tools, such as bearings, hydraulic equipment, robots, and cutting tools. They also provide services such as machine maintenance and repair. The company's products are used in automotive, aerospace, construction, and electronics. One of NACHI-FUJIKOSHI's renowned products is their robotic arm, the "MZR series," which is designed for precision assembly and inspection tasks in industries. They received several awards for their technological advancements and contributions to the industry, including the 2021 Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Medal for new hydraulic equipment technology and the 2020 Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Grand Technology Award.
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Fushun Special Steel Co., Ltd.
High Speed Steel
Manufacturer Overview
Fushun Special Steel Co. Ltd. is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of steel products and alloy materials founded in 1937 and based in Fushun, Liaoning, China. The company produces steel products for structural components, tools, and sensitive components for medical devices. It also produces nickel-based alloys for aerospace components and parts requiring resistance to extreme temperatures. The company offers manufacturing services for steel and alloy materials, including forging using hydraulic or precision machinery, melting with arc or vacuum furnaces, and heat treatment. It primarily serves clients in the aerospace, energy, and petrochemical markets.
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Nextgen Steel & Alloys
High Speed Steel
Manufacturer Overview
Nextgen Steel & Alloys, headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, is a manufacturer and supplier of steel and alloy products. Its diverse product range includes stainless steel, carbon steel, and alloy steel products such as bars, sheets, and tubes, catering to various industries like food processing, construction, aerospace, and more. Additionally, the company offers wire rods for applications like concrete reinforcement and manufacturing nails, screws, and wire mesh. It also provides forged products used in crafting gears, shafts, and machine parts.
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Geili Machinery Fujian Group Co., Ltd.
High Speed Steel M2/ 1.3343 Flat Bar
Manufacturer Overview
Geili Machinery Fujian Group Co., Ltd., established in 1997 and based in Putian City, Fujian Province, China, is a manufacturer of industrial equipment and components. The company produces products such as CCM, rolling mills, cooling beds, cutting machines, and hydraulic systems. All the products are manufactured by following the management systems certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 9000, ISO 14001, ISO 14000, and ISO 20000 and sold in different markets such as South America, the Middle East and other countries globally. The company has been manufacturing continuous casting and steel rolling production lines since 2009.
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Sheffield Gauge Plate
High-Speed Steel
Company Overview
Sheffield Gauge Plate, established in 2003, operates as a manufacturer and supplier of precision ground flat stock and gauge plate steel and is headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom. The company's profound expertise has facilitated the establishment of a heterogeneous clientele spanning various industries on a global scale. The organization has a very proficient internal grinding facility, enabling it to manufacture steel sizes that deviate from normal specifications. The comprehensive assortment of standard gauge plate sizes, in conjunction with the aforementioned, ensures that the steel requirements of any customer are adequately addressed.
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Simply Tool Steel
High Speed Steel Tool Bits
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High Speed Steel Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Griggs Steel Co. |
15.0%
|
| 2 | COREMARK Metals. |
15.0%
|
| 3 | Stanford Advanced Materials |
15.0%
|
| 4 | NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP. |
10.0%
|
| 5 | Hitachi Metals, Ltd. |
10.0%
|
| 6 | Dalian Jingtai Industry Trade Co.,Ltd |
5.0%
|
| 7 | Vishal Steel Industries |
5.0%
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| 8 | Simply Tool Steel |
5.0%
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| 9 | Geili Machinery Fujian Group Co., Ltd. |
5.0%
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| 10 | Nextgen Steel & Alloys |
5.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the high speed steel page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Hitachi Metals, Ltd.: 27,771
- NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP.: 7,205
Newly Established Company
- Fushun Special Steel Co., Ltd.: 1998 (26 years ago)
- Geili Machinery Fujian Group Co., Ltd.: 1997 (27 years ago)
- Vishal Steel Industries: 1972 (52 years ago)
Company with a History
- NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP.: 1928 (96 years ago)
- Hitachi Metals, Ltd.: 1956 (68 years ago)
- Vishal Steel Industries: 1972 (52 years ago)
High Speed Steel Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of High Speed Steel Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
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3 | 27.3% |
China
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3 | 27.3% |
Japan
|
2 | 18.2% |
India
|
2 | 18.2% |
United Kingdom
|
1 | 9.1% |
