W18Cr4V, commonly known as W18, is a tungsten high speed steel known for its excellent hardness, hot hardness and high temperature hardness. The steel contains high levels of tungsten and chromium, as well as vanadium, which together provide excellent wear resistance and red-hardness, and remain sharp even at elevated temperatures.W18Cr4V has a hardness range of 62-65 HRC, a flexural strength of 3.0-3.4 GPa, and a hardness at 600°C of 48.5 HRC.
M2 high-speed steel is a tungsten-molybdenum high-speed steel, favoured for its good machinability. Its hardness ranges from 63-66 HRC, flexural strength is 3.5-4.0 GPa, and hardness at 600°C is 47-48 HRC. Because it contains a high proportion of molybdenum and tungsten, it maintains a high level of hardness while possessing good thermoplasticity and toughness, and it is suitable for the manufacture of hot-forming tools and impact-resistant, structurally weak tools.