Si vous êtes outilleur, machinist, ou ingénieur ayant besoin d'outils de coupe qui restent affûtés à haute température, T1 steel is a classic choice. En tant qu'acier à outils rapide (HSS), il est conçu pour les travaux difficiles comme la coupe de métaux durs, ce qui en fait un incontournable de l'industrie manufacturière. Ce guide couvre tout, des produits en acier T1 au traitement thermique, helping you get the most out of this durable material.
1. T1 Steel Products: Shapes for Every Tool Need
T1 steel comes in various forms to fit different tool designs. Choosing the right product saves time and ensures your tools perform well:
| Product Type | Principales fonctionnalités | Utilisations courantes |
|---|---|---|
| T1 high-speed tool steel round bar | Solid, cylindrique (6–100mm diameter) | Making drills, fraises en bout, and lathe tool bits |
| T1 steel flat bar and plate | Flat, rectangular (3–50mm thick) | Creating broaches, gear cutters, and dies |
| T1 tool steel drill rod | Precision-ground round bar (2–25mm diameter) | Manufacturing small drills and reamers |
| Precision-ground T1 tool steel blanks | Pre-machined to tight tolerances | Custom tool bases, punch heads |
| Custom-cut T1 steel billets | Grand, raw pieces (for big tools) | Forging heavy-duty dies and cutting blades |
Real Example: A machine shop usesT1 high-speed tool steel round bar to make end mills. These end mills cut through stainless steel for 500+ parts before needing sharpening—twice as long as mills made from standard steel.
2. Composition chimique & Microstructure: What Makes T1 Steel Fast?
T1 steel’s strength and heat resistance come from its unique mix of elements and structure:
Key Chemical Elements
| Élément | Gamme de contenu | Role in T1 Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Tungsten (W) | ~18% | The star element—givesdureté rouge (stays hard at high temps) |
| Chrome (Cr) | ~4% | Boosts wear resistance and helps with heat treatment |
| Vanadium (V) | ~1% | Makes the steel stronger and improves toughness |
| Carbone (C) | ~0.7–0.8% | Hardens the steel and forms strong carbides |
| Molybdène (Mo) | ~0.5% | Enhances heat resistance (works with tungsten) |
Microstructure: Ledeburitic
Après traitement thermique, T1 steel has aledeburitic microstructure—tiny, hard carbide particles (from tungsten and carbon) spread evenly in a tough steel matrix. These carbides resist wear, while the matrix keeps the steel from breaking. This structure is why T1 stays sharp even when cutting metal at high speeds (which generate heat).
3. Mécanique & Propriétés physiques: Strength at High Temps
T1 steel’s properties make it perfect for high-speed cutting. Here’s how it performs:
| Propriété | T1 High-Speed Tool Steel | Standard Carbon Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Dureté (after quenching) | 63–65 HRC | 50–55 HRC |
| Red Hardness (at 600°C) | Retains ~90% of hardness | Loses ~50% of hardness |
| Résistance à la compression | ~3,000 MPa | ~1,500 MPa |
| Conductivité thermique | 25 W/m·K | 45 W/m·K |
| Stabilité dimensionnelle (traitement thermique) | Low distortion (±0.1mm/m) | High distortion (±0,5 mm/m) |
Standout Trait: Red Hardness
The biggest advantage of T1 steel is itsred hardness at 600°C. When you cut metal fast, tools get hot—T1 stays hard enough to keep cutting, while standard steel softens and dulls. Par exemple, unT1 tool bit can turn steel at 300+ RPM without losing its edge.
4. Heat Treatment Processes: Getting T1 Steel Ready for Use
Heat treatment is critical for T1 steel—it unlocks its full hardness and strength. Follow these steps:
- Préchauffage: Heat the steel slowly to 800–850°C. This prevents cracking when you raise the temperature higher.
- Austenitizing: Chauffer à 1280°C (the key temp for T1). Hold it here for 15–30 minutes (depending on thickness) to let the elements mix evenly.
- Trempe: Cool the steel quickly using a salt bath (best for uniform cooling) ou de l'huile. This hardens the steel to 63–65 HRC.
- Triple Tempering: Heat the steel three times to 550–570°C (1 hour each time), cooling between cycles. This reduces brittleness and stabilizes the hardness—never skip this step!
- Cryogenic Treatment (Facultatif): For extra toughness, cool the steel to -80°C after quenching. This makes the microstructure more uniform, great for tools that take impact (like punches).
Pro Tip: Don’t overheat during austenitizing—going above 1300°C can damage the carbides and weaken the steel.
5. Tool & Die Applications: Where T1 Steel Shines
T1 steel is used for tools that need to cut hard materials at high speeds. Here are its top uses:
- Outils de coupe: T1 high-speed steel cutting tools (exercices, fraises en bout) cut aluminum, acier, and stainless steel. A car parts factory uses T1 drills to make holes in engine blocks—they last 3x longer than regular drills.
- Lathe Tools: T1 tool bits for lathe tools turn metal into shapes (like bolts). These bits stay sharp even when turning at high speeds.
- Precision Tools: T1 end mills and reamers create smooth holes and slots in metal parts. A medical device maker uses T1 reamers to make precise holes in surgical instruments.
- Specialty Cutters: T1 broaches and gear cutters make complex shapes (like gears). These cutters need to be tough and sharp—T1 delivers both.
- Meurt & Poinçons: T1 punches and dies stamp or punch metal (like making washers). They resist wear from repeated use.
6. Usinabilité & Fabrication: Working With T1 Steel
T1 steel is hard, so it needs specific methods to machine. Here’s how to do it right:
Machining Annealed T1
Before heat treatment, T1 is annealed (softened to 20–25 HRC) to make machining easier. C'estmachinability rating is ~30 (contre. 100 pour 1215 acier)—use these tips:
- Utiliser de l'acier rapide (HSS) or carbide tools.
- Cut at slow speeds (10–20 m/min) to avoid overheating.
Affûtage & GED
- Grinding Parameters: Use a vitrified 砂轮 (46–80 grit) with coolant. Grind at 15–20 m/s to get a smooth surface (Ra 0,4–0,8 μm).
- EDM Wire Cutting: Great for complex shapes (like die cavities). Use brass wire (0.15-0,3mm) et des vitesses d'alimentation lentes (5–10 mm/min) pour la précision.
Revêtements de surface
Add coatings to make T1 tools last longer:
- Titanium nitride (Étain): Améliore la résistance à l'usure (good for drills).
- Titanium carbonitride (TiCN): Better for cutting hard metals (like stainless steel).
Safe Handling
Hardened T1 steel (63–65 HRC) is brittle—wear gloves when handling to avoid cuts. Aussi, store tools in a dry place to prevent rust (T1 can rust if exposed to moisture).
Yigu Technology’s Perspective
Chez Yigu Technologie, nous recommandonsT1 steel for clients needing high-performance cutting tools. We supplyprecision-ground T1 tool steel blanks and custom-cut bars, ensuring tight tolerances for toolmaking. We also share heat treatment guides—like triple tempering cycles—to help clients get the best hardness. Our T1 steel meets industry standards, so toolmakers trust it for durable, long-lasting tools that cut through tough materials.
FAQ
- Can T1 steel be welded?
Welding T1 steel is hard—its high tungsten content makes it brittle after welding. If you must weld, preheat to 300–400°C, use a low-hydrogen electrode (like E312), and temper again after welding. - How long does T1 steel stay sharp?
It depends on what you’re cutting. For mild steel, a T1 drill can make 500+ trous; pour l'acier inoxydable, it might make 200+ trous. Sharpening can extend its life 2–3 times. - Is T1 steel better than T15 steel?
T15 has more cobalt (5%) for better heat resistance, but it’s more expensive. T1 is cheaper and works well for most cutting jobs (comme l'aluminium, acier). Choose T15 only for extreme tasks (cutting superalloys).