High Speed Steel (HSS) Scrap Price Per Kg — India 2026
HSS scrap price today ranges between ₹260–750/kg, depending on grade (M2, M35, M42), cobalt/tungsten content, condition, and quantity. These are indicative ranges — send us a photo and get an exact quote, and a confirmed pickup.
HSS Scrap Price Per Kg (Updated September 2026)
Drills, end mills, taps, lathe tools & milling cutters accepted · Free pickup NCR · Same-day payment.
Rate Updated – 27-09-2026
| HSS Grade | Scrap Type | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| M42 HSS Scrap — ~8% cobalt, premium grade | ₹400–750/kg | Highest value grade |
| M35 HSS Scrap — ~5% cobalt | ₹360–700/kg | Keep separate from M2 |
| M2 HSS Scrap — low/no cobalt, most common | ₹380–720/kg | Check markings if unsure |
| Mixed / Assorted HSS Scrap | ₹260–400/kg | Sort by grade = better rate |
Why the price range is so wide:
M42 pays up to ₹750/kg because its higher cobalt content converts almost directly to alloy recovery value. M2 and mixed scrap pay less because separation and testing cost more. Sorting your lot by grade before selling — instead of mixing M2, M35 and M42 together — can add ₹50–100/kg to the blended rate. WhatsApp us for sorting guidance before pickup.
What determines your exact price?
The ranges above are wide because HSS scrap is not one material. Four key factors determine where your lot lands within the range.
Tungsten & cobalt content
HSS alloy content varies by grade. M42 runs close to 8% cobalt; M2 has little or none. Tell us the grade so we can estimate content accurately.
M42 scrap can fetch ₹300–400/kg more than plain M2 scrap.
Grade & type sorting
M2, M35 and M42 are processed and priced differently. Mixing grades together forces buyers to price the whole lot at the lowest-value grade present.
Sorting a mixed 10 kg lot by grade can add ₹500–1,000 to the total payout.
Condition & contamination
Rust, oil and heavy contamination pull the price down. Unbroken, lightly used tools can fetch a higher rate than broken scrap since some are resold for reuse.
Clean vs. rusted/contaminated HSS on the same grade: up to ₹80–100/kg difference.
Quantity & bulk pricing
Bulk sellers — workshops, manufacturers and traders — get better per-kg pricing than small lots because of lower per-kg handling and logistics cost.
HSS scrap rates in India also track the underlying tungsten and cobalt alloy markets — see our Tungsten and Cobalt price pages for the current benchmark direction.
What Is HSS Scrap?
HSS (High Speed Steel) scrap comes from used, broken, or rejected cutting tools made from alloy steel containing tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, and sometimes cobalt.
HSS is widely used in:
- Drills
- End mills
- Taps
- Lathe tools
- Milling cutters
Because of its valuable alloy content, HSS scrap has a higher value than normal steel scrap.
A real example — sorting a 10 kg mixed HSS lot:
Take a typical tool room’s monthly HSS pile: 4 kg of M2 drills, 3 kg of M35 milling cutters, 2 kg of M42 finishing tools, and 1 kg of broken or unmarked bits.
| Approach | Calculation | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Sold unsorted, as one mixed lot | 10 kg × ₹320/kg (blended mixed rate) | ₹3,200 |
| Sorted by grade before pickup | 4kg×₹550 + 3kg×₹500 + 2kg×₹600 + 1kg×₹300 | ₹5,200 |
Sorting this lot by grade adds ₹2,000 — a 62% improvement — for about 15 minutes of work with a magnet and a look at the markings.
Rates used are illustrative mid-range figures from the price table above; your exact quote depends on the photo we assess.
HSS Scrap Grades Explained
M2 HSS Scrap
- Most common HSS grade
- Low or no cobalt content
- Found in standard drills and cutters
- Moderate scrap price
M35 HSS Scrap
- Contains ~5% cobalt
- Better heat resistance
- Higher value than M2
- Common in premium cutting tools
M42 HSS Scrap
- Contains ~8% cobalt
- Highest-grade HSS scrap
- Premium market demand
- Highest scrap price per kg
How to Identify HSS Scrap
Use these simple methods to identify HSS scrap:
- Markings: Look for M2, M35, M42 engraved on tools
- Spark test: Short, bright sparks compared to mild steel
- Magnet test: HSS is magnetic (carbide is not)
- Tool appearance: HSS tools look like steel, not grey carbide
Do not confuse HSS scrap with carbide scrap — both have very different prices.
Common Mistakes When Selling HSS Scrap
✓ Do these before selling
Simple steps that improve your rate
✓ Use a magnet — HSS sticks, carbide doesn’t. Never mix them in one bag.
✓ Check for M2/M35/M42 markings and group by grade before calling.
✓ Wipe off cutting oil and coolant residue — dry material weighs and prices better.
✓ Keep broken bits with full-length tools — breakage doesn’t reduce HSS scrap value.
✓ Send a clear photo on WhatsApp before pickup for a confirmed quote.
✗ Avoid these mistakes
Common errors that cost you money
✗ Don’t mix HSS with tungsten carbide inserts — the most costly mistake sellers make.
✗ Don’t sell mixed-grade HSS as one lot if you can sort it — you lose ₹50–100/kg.
✗ Don’t assume rusted tools are worthless — light rust barely affects price.
✗ Don’t sell to a local kabaadiwala pricing HSS as mild steel at ₹30–40/kg.
✗ Don’t throw away small broken tool tips — they carry full HSS alloy value by weight.
HSS Scrap vs Carbide Scrap
| Feature | HSS Scrap | Carbide Scrap |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Alloy steel | Tungsten carbide |
| Magnetic | Yes | Slightly |
| Appearance | Steel-like | Grey, brittle |
| Price | ₹260–750/kg | ₹400–10,000/kg |
| Common use | Drills, taps | Inserts, tips |
Why HSS Scrap Prices Are Rising in 2026
HSS is a tungsten-bearing alloy — most grades carry roughly 4–8% tungsten alongside cobalt and molybdenum, which is exactly what makes it harder and more heat-resistant than plain steel. When global tungsten prices move, HSS scrap values move with them, just on a smaller scale than pure tungsten metal scrap or tungsten carbide scrap.
Since late 2024, China’s tighter control over APT (ammonium paratungstate) exports has pushed global tungsten benchmarks to multi-year highs. That pressure has flowed through to every tungsten-bearing scrap stream in India — carbide, tungsten metal, and HSS alike — which is a large part of why M42 and M35 rates have held firm through 2026.
For a day-to-day read on where the underlying tungsten market stands, we track it separately: the WolfTrack Price Index and its weekly Thursday brief follow Rotterdam APT, China domestic APT, and India FOB, and move in the same direction as HSS rates.
How to Sell HSS Scrap — Simple Process
- Share scrap photos & quantity on WhatsApp
- Get exact price after grade inspection
- Pickup or delivery & same-day payment
WhatsApp for today’s live HSS scrap rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
HSS scrap price currently ranges from ₹260 to ₹750 per kg, depending on grade, cobalt content, and condition. See the price table above for a full grade-by-grade breakdown.
M42 HSS scrap has the highest value because it contains a higher percentage of cobalt (around 8%).
Light rust usually has minimal impact, but heavy rust, oil, or contamination can reduce the price by up to ₹80–100/kg.
Yes, small quantities are accepted, but bulk quantities generally receive better per-kg rates.
Yes, HSS scrap is magnetic, unlike tungsten carbide scrap which is non-magnetic. This is a quick way to tell the two apart.
Check Other Scrap Metal Prices
Selling a mixed lot? We buy tungsten carbide, tungsten and cobalt scrap alongside HSS — check today’s rate for each, or use the scrap value calculator.
HSS scrap value tracks the same tungsten market WolfTrack watches every week. Weekly Thursday price brief and the Indian Tungsten Transaction Price Index — Rotterdam APT, China domestic APT, and India FOB in one place. Built by the same team behind this page.
Ready to sell? Get your exact tungsten rate today.
Send a photo on WhatsApp. Confirmed price in minutes. Free pickup. Same-day payment.