High-speed steel is a high-alloy tool steel that incorporates elements such as W, Mo, Cr, V, and Go, offering excellent workability, a good balance of strength and toughness, and strong resistance to impact and vibration. It maintains high hardness (HRC above 60) even under high-temperature conditions during high-speed cutting (approximately 500°C). Its good red hardness makes it suitable for manufacturing milling cutters, lathe cutters, and other cutting tools, capable of meeting the hardening layer and poor heat dissipation issues encountered during the cutting of 304 stainless steel pipes.
 
W18Cr4V is a typical high-speed steel tool, which has been widely used in the production of various cutting tools since its inception in 1906 to meet the needs of machining. However, with the continuous improvement of the mechanical properties of the materials being processed, the W18Cr4V tool can no longer meet the requirements for processing difficult materials. High-performance cobalt high-speed steel has emerged at the right time. Compared to conventional high-speed steel, cobalt high-speed steel boasts superior wear resistance, red hardness, and reliability in use, making it suitable for high removal rate and intermittent cutting operations. Common grades include W12Cr4V5Co5.