The choice of the right steel ensures that the broach works properly, guarantying greater productivity.
High-speed steels are divided by their chemical composition, based on tungsten, molybdenum and tungsten-molybdenum. They are also present in various percentages of carbon, vanadium and cobalt. The common characteristics are good hardness, wear resistance and toughness.
Sintered steels are produced by powder- metallurgy methods.
Segregation-free and homogeneous metal powders are processed in a diffusion process that taking place at high pressure and temperature.
The most common high-speed steel is 1.3343 (trade name S600 or M2 according to the steelworks).
Its composition with tungsten-molybdenum ensures elasticity, a good toughness and cutting resistance during broaching.
Of better quality is 1.3243 high-speed steel (trade name S705 or M35) with Cobalt-alloyed molybdenum, with high hardness and excellent cutting properties.
The percentage of Cobalt ensures good results on the toughest broaching materials (it is generally chosen for materials with Rm > 90 kg/mm²) and has a high wear resistance.
Sintered steel such as 1.3244 (trade name S590 or ASP30) are by far the most wear resistant, but also the most expensive.
The powder metallurgy technology gives the material excellent wear resistance and toughness. It is perfect for working hard materials and at high speeds.