High-alloy steel is steel that uses over 5% alloying elements, like chromium, nickel, or molybdenum, to provide properties superior to carbon steels or low-alloy steels.

Key Features:

• High Alloy Content: Alloys in high alloy steels are used to improve hardness, strength, corrosion resistance, and toughness.
• Special Properties: High alloy steels can handle higher temperatures, site severe environmental conditions, and carry heavier loads for unique applications.
• Common Uses: High-alloy steels are in wide use for stainless steel, tool steel, turbine blades, cutting tools, aerospace parts, and other equipment subjected to severe wear and/or corrosion.

The primary advantage to high-alloy steel is that it is able to deliver unique performance that plain carbon steel cannot. For example, stainless steel (one type of high-alloy steel is a must-use in kitchenware, medical instruments, and chemical processing because of its excellent corrosion resistance. Tool steels are types of high-alloy steels that are made into cutting and forming tools that must withstand high wear and stress, and if the tool gets too hot, it maintains strength and toughness. Modern high-alloy steels are developed daily with performance improvements to meet modern engineering and industrial performance needs.