High-speed steel bar is supplied for drills, end mills, reamers, broaches and punches that cut at high speed. We stock M2, M35 and M42, annealed or peeled, in straight lengths.
What Is High-Speed Steel Bar?
High-speed steel (HSS) bar is rolled or forged and supplied annealed so it can be machined to a cutting-tool profile and then hardened to its red-hard state. HSS keeps its hardness at the temperatures generated by high-speed cutting, which is why it is the default material for drills, end mills and broaches.
We keep the main HSS grades as bar — M2 (general), M35 (cobalt) and M42 (max red-hardness) — and offer peeled-and-ground bar for clean, decarburisation-free blanks.
High-Speed Steel Grades Available as Bar
These high-speed grades are available as bar:
| Grade | Standard | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| M2 | ASTM A600, EN ISO 4957 | General turning, milling and drilling tools |
| M35 | ASTM A600, EN ISO 4957 | Cobalt grade for harder cutting |
| M42 | ASTM A600, EN ISO 4957 | Max red-hardness, aerospace & hard alloys |
Size Range and Tolerances
Bar is supplied from 2 mm up to 200 mm. Tolerance and condition are confirmed per grade:
| Diameter / Size | Length | Tolerance | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 – 20 mm | 2 – 6 m | h11 | Drawn / Annealed |
| 20 – 80 mm | 3 – 6 m | forged | Forged / Annealed |
| 80 – 200 mm | 3 – 6 m | forged | Forged / Annealed |
| Square / flat | per drawing | per drawing | Annealed / Peeled |
Surface Finish and Delivery Condition
Bar delivery conditions:
Precision small-diameter bar for direct machining.
Forged large bar for sound centres in big tools.
Turned and ground bar, decarburisation-free.
Hardened-and-tempered bar on request.
Standards We Supply To
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM A600 | High-speed tool steels |
| EN ISO 4957 | Tool steels including HSS |
| JIS G4403 | High-speed tool steels |
| EN 10278 | Bright steel bars |
Physical Properties of High-Speed Steel
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.0 – 8.3 g/cm³ |
| Elastic modulus (E) | ~215 GPa |
| Shear modulus (G) | ~82 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity | ~20 W/m·K |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion | ~10 ×10⁻₆ /K (20 – 300 °C) |
Applications of High-Speed Steel Bar
The largest HSS bar use — twist and straight drills.
Bar roughed to milling-tool blanks.
Precision bar for finishing cutters.
Bar threaded and ground to threading tools.
HSS bar for long-life punch blanks.
Shaped HSS bar for special cutters.
Quality Control and Mill Certificates
Every Bar order ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate covering heat chemical analysis and the mechanical and dimensional checks on record. We add, on request: ultrasonic or magnetic-particle inspection, hardness mapping, straightness and flatness checks, decarburisation or surface-depth checks, and third-party inspection (SGS / BV) at the mill or before loading. Dimensions are verified to the relevant EN / ASTM / JIS standard or your drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between M2, M35 and M42?
M2 is the general grade; M35 adds cobalt for harder cutting; M42 has the highest red-hardness for tough aerospace and hard-alloy work.
Do you supply peeled-and-ground HSS bar?
Yes, for diameters where a clean, decarburisation-free surface is needed before grinding.
Is the bar supplied annealed?
Annealed as standard, ready for machining and hardening.
What is the largest HSS bar diameter?
Up to 200 mm rolled, larger forged block on request.
Can you cut bar to length?
Yes, sawn to your required length and quantity.
Related Products
Send your size, grade, delivery condition, quantity, package and destination port. You will get a firm price and lead time within one working day.
