High-speed steel alloy, method for producing it, and use thereof

The invention relates to a high-speed steel alloy which has a niobium content of from 2.8% by weight to 14% by weight and a vanadium content of from 0.6% by weight to 4.5% by weight, the lower limit of the carbon content being defined by the formula Cmin = 0.4 + [(% by weight W + 2 x % by weight Mo) x 0.01] + [(% by weight V - 1.3) x 0.24] + (% by weight Nb x 0.15) + (% by weight X x 0.1) where % X indicates the percentage by weight of any elements present of the 4th and/or 5th group of the Periodic Table of the Elements. The method for producing workpieces made of the alloy is characterised in that the alloy, prior to casting, is held for at least 30 sec in a temperature range above the calculated liquidus temperature, the minimum value of which temperature range is given by the formula Tmin = TLiq + 60 + (% Nb x 25> and in that the melt is cooled at a cooling rate of at least 0.5@K/sec.