TUNGSTEN.
It was soon found that the composition of "self-hardening" steels was not the best one for high speed steels. Tungsten was discovered as an element which gave the steel properties of hardness and toughness at a red heat. After the peculiar heat treatment had been learned, and the presence of manganese or chromium in addition to the tungsten was shown to be unnecessary in appreciable amounts, it was found that more durable qualities could be obtained by increasing the percentage of tungsten, while at the same time the carbon element was greatly reduced.
The best grade of High Speed Steel ought to have a tungsten content of about 18.00% and a carbon content of about 0.65%. Thus whenever a steel is needed which must operate under especially severe conditions, this would be the steel to use. Such conditions are usually met in the case of rapid turning, boring, planing, slotting and shaping tools, also with twist drills and all forms of milling cutters, gear cutters, taps, reamers, special dies, etc.