SPIRAL FLUTE TAP: M12 X 1.75 HSSE-C0 DIN 376 ANI-CUT F/STAINLESS

🔧 What HSSE-Co actually is HSSE-Co is a type of high-speed steel (HSS) alloyed with cobalt (typically 5–8%).
* The cobalt changes the material’s behavior in a few key ways:Higher hot hardness → stays hard even when the tool gets very hotBetter wear resistance → cutting edges last longerImproved red hardness → resists softening at high cutting speedsGreater strength under load → less likely to chip or deform

🔩 Why stainless steel is difficult to tapStainless steels (especially austenitic grades like 304 or 316) are tricky because they:Work harden quickly (they get harder as you cut them)Have low thermal conductivity (heat stays at the cutting edge)Are often “gummy” → chips stick and clogCreate high friction during cutting
* This combination destroys ordinary taps pretty quickly.

1. Heat resistance where it matters
* When tapping stainless, temperatures spike at the cutting edge. HSSE-Co maintains hardness at those temperatures, so:
The cutting edges stay sharp longerLess edge breakdown and rounding 2. Better resistance to work hardeningBecause the tool stays sharp and strong:It cuts cleanly instead of rubbingReduces further work hardening of the materialMakes tapping smoother and more consistent