HS3-3-2 1.3333 High Speed Tool Steel

HS3-3-2/1.3333 is a high-carbon, high-tungsten-vanadium-cobalt alloy high-speed tool steel conforming to the German standard DIN EN ISO 4957. It holds a significant position in high-demand cutting and forming applications. With its outstanding thermal stability, exceptional wear resistance, and good resistance to tempering softening, it is an ideal choice for machining high-strength, high-hardness materials.

The core of HS3-3-2 high-speed steel lies in its strengthening system featuring high carbon, high tungsten, high vanadium, and added cobalt, complemented by appropriate amounts of chromium and molybdenum to form a synergistic alloy system. Through high-temperature heat treatment, the high tungsten and vanadium content precipitates a large amount of highly dispersed, thermally stable compound carbides (such as MC and M6C types). These carbides are key to the material's outstanding high-temperature hardness and resistance to abrasive wear.

1: Steel equivalent

2: Chemical composition

3: Surface hardness and hardenability

4: Supply size & Tolerance & Stock size

To ensure optimal performance for your application, we produce 1.3333 high speed tool steel on a dedicated make-to-order basis. This approach guarantees fresh production and allows us to customize the process for your specific requirements. Tell us your needs, and let's get started.

5: Ultrasonic Test    

EN10228-3 class III or Sep 1921-84 D/D

6：Steel making & Forging processing

1): Steel making process:

  EF+LF+VD

  EAF+LF+VD

  EF+LF+VD+ESR

  EAF+LF+VD+ESR

2): Forging processing:  

Initial temperature: 1050-1100℃

Final temperature: 900-950℃

Cooling in the furnace or in the sand

7: Heat treatment

1): Annealed:

Heat 1.3333 steel to 820-870℃

After the holding period, turn off the power supply and allow the workpiece to cool in the furnace. When the furnace temperature drops to approximately 500°C, the cooling rate may be appropriately increased. However, it is still best to cool the workpiece in the furnace until it approaches room temperature (<100°C) before removing it

2): Quenching and tempering:  

Heat 1.3333 steel to 1180-1200℃ in the salt bath furnace

Quench in the oil

Temper steel at 550-570℃ in the furnace

Cooling in the air.

Above curve in figure is a rough guide to the tempering behaviour of steels.

8：Application

1.3333 steel is widely used in high-end tooling applications with stringent performance requirements due to its exceptional red hardness, extreme wear resistance, and good high-temperature strength, derived from its high tungsten, high vanadium, and cobalt content. Its primary applications can be summarized as follows:

1. Metal-cutting tools

• Complex forming tools: Manufacturing high-precision, geometrically intricate tools such as gear hobs, broaches, thread formers, and reamers

• High-efficiency machining tools: Used to produce drills (especially deep-hole drills), end mills, reamers, taps, etc.

• Specialized finishing tools: Production of finishing turning tools and finishing boring tools for final operations demanding exceptional surface finish and dimensional accuracy

2. Precision Cold-Forming Dies

• High-wear stamping dies: Critical components for precision dies and progressive dies cutting silicon steel sheets, high-strength steel plates, abrasive non-ferrous metal sheets, and other wear-prone materials

• Cold extrusion and cold heading dies: Manufacture of punches and dies for extruding high-hardness metals (e.g., alloy steel), plus punches for cold heading dies of high-strength bolts

• Powder metallurgy dies: Cores and mandrels for compacting high-hardness, high-density metal powders, subjected to extreme compressive stresses and abrasive wear

3. Specialized wear-resistant components

• High-Temperature Bearings and Guides: Bearing rings, rolling elements, and machine tool guides for high-temperature, lubrication-free or semi-lubricated conditions

• Wear-Resistant Guides: Guide rolls, guide plates in wire production, and guide bushings subjected to severe abrasive wear in machinery

• Critical Tooling Components: Core pins on die-casting machines, high-temperature fixtures, and other parts requiring resistance to thermal wear and thermal fatigue