Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature1270°C(2318°F)
Soak Time4 minutes
Tempering
Temperature560°C(1040°F)
Time60 minutes
Cycles3x
Quench Medium
oil
Target Hardness
63 - 65 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness5.5/10
Edge Retention8/10
Corrosion Resistance2/10
Ease of Sharpening4/10
Overall Score19.5/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Soviet/Russian R18 - the 'gold standard' HSS until 1970s
- 218% tungsten, 4% chromium, 1% vanadium
- 3GOST designation: R18 (P18 in Latin transliteration)
- 4Was THE premium Soviet machining steel
- 5Now replaced by cobalt HSS in most applications
Famous Uses
Soviet cutting tools
USSR industrial equipment
Best For
Cutting tools
Industrial blades
Specialty knives
Similar Steels
M2 HSS
American equivalent
T1 HSS
Tungsten HSS
Not Recommended For
- Wet environments
- Western markets
- Beginners
Expert Tips
- 1High tungsten (18%)
- 2Classic Russian HSS
- 3From old machinery
- 4Not stainless