HSS M2 High Speed Steel - 1.3343 - HS6-5-2C - JIS ~SKH 51

HSS M2, one of the most used high speed steel, is suitable for cold forming tools e.g. cold extrusion rams, its elevated wear resistance makes it suitable for e.g. plastic molds and can also be used for certain hot work applications. The added tungsten and molybdenum give this high speed steel the excellent combination of toughness, wear resistance, red hot hardness and the good edge retention, which make it suitable to a wide variety of applications.

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HSS M2 High Speed Steel: Standard values

Working hardness: 62 HRC - 65 HRC
Delivery condition: max. 270HB

Chemical composition in %

C

0.860000

0.86

0.940000

0.94
Si

0.000000

0

0.450000

0.45
Mn

0.000000

0

0.400000

0.4
P

0.000000

0

0.030000

0.03
S

0.000000

0

0.030000

0.03
Cr

3.800000

3.8

4.500000

4.5
Mo

4.700000

4.7

5.200000

5.2
V

1.700000

1.7

2.100000

2.1
W

5.900000

5.9

6.700000

6.7

HSS M2 High Speed Steel: Technical Data

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HSS M2 High Speed Steel: Technical Properties

This high speed steel is the most frequently used among the high speed steels. Its composition allows it to be used for a wide range of applications. High impact toughness, good compression strength, excellent wear resistance.

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HSS M2 High Speed Steel: Applications

machining tools, milling cutters, twist drills, screw taps, reamers, broaching tools, rotary knives, planer knives, gear shaper cutters, circular saw segments, metal saws, woodworking tools, screw dies, countersinks, chasers, cold extrusion punches, precision cutting tools, dies, punches, plastic molds with high wear resistance

Chemical designation: Working hardness: 62 HRC - 65 HRC
Delivery condition: max. 270HB

C

0.860000

0.86

0.940000

0.94
Si

0.000000

0

0.450000

0.45
Mn

0.000000

0

0.400000

0.4
P

0.000000

0

0.030000

0.03
S

0.000000

0

0.030000

0.03
Cr

3.800000

3.8

4.500000

4.5
Mo

4.700000

4.7

5.200000

5.2
V

1.700000

1.7

2.100000

2.1
W

5.900000

5.9

6.700000

6.7

This high speed steel is the most frequently used among the high speed steels. Its composition allows it to be used for a wide range of applications. High impact toughness, good compression strength, excellent wear resistance.

machining tools, milling cutters, twist drills, screw taps, reamers, broaching tools, rotary knives, planer knives, gear shaper cutters, circular saw segments, metal saws, woodworking tools, screw dies, countersinks, chasers, cold extrusion punches, precision cutting tools, dies, punches, plastic molds with high wear resistance

HSS M2 General Information

Where can HSS M2 be used?

High Speed Steel a high alloyed tool steel, often used for drills, taps, turning tools and broaches, has a 3 - 4 times higher cutting speed without losing its hardness up to a temperature of 1112°F (600°C). In comparison, ordinary cold work tool steel loses its hardness at about 392°F (200°C). The foundation for its abilities can be found in its alloys as well as its martensitic microstructure.

Tungsten (W): Forms carbides (especially tungsten carbide) which increase the red hot hardness, tempering resistance and wear resistance.

Molybdenum (Mo): Molybdenum can replace tungsten and has the same effect as tungsten at half the mass. Molybdenum does form carbides, increases red hot hardness, temper- and wear resistance but has to undergo a more complex heat treatment.

Vanadium (V): It forms vanadium carbide, which, as in some other steels, increases wear resistance because of its hardness (601 HBN / 58 HRC).

Chromium (Cr): Is involved in carbide formation and improves through hardenability. This enables tools with large cross sections to be hardened.

Carbon (C): Is needed both to form martensite and carbides. The proportion is adjusted in line with the proportion of the other elements.

Cobalt (Co): Increases the temperature up to which the material can be used, meaning above which temperature martensite transforms. It prevents the growth of precipitated carbides.

Is HSS M2 a stainless steel?

To be classified as a stainless steel it has to have a mass fraction of 10.5% of chromium. With a chromium content of 3.8 - 4.5% the M2 is not a stainless steel.

Is HSS M2 corrosion resistant?

Though the M2 has some corrosion resistance it is prone to oxidation in moisture and corrosive environments. Corrosion resistance can be enhanced with coating the material, limiting exposure and having a good maintenance routine and storage practices can help to prevent corrosion. 

Is HSS M2 magnetizable?

As a ferromagnetic material High Speed Steel M2 can be magnetized and is suitable for magnetic clamping.

Heat treatment for HSS M2

Annealing HSS M2

Heat M2 uniformly to a temperature of 1600°F (871°C) and hold for 1 hour per inch (25.4 mm) of thickness but for a minimum of 2 hours. Then the parts are cooled down by 25°F (10°C) to 1000°F (538°C) in the furnace and continue to cool them to ambient temperature either in the furnace or air.

Stress relieving HSS M2

After heavy machining M2 it is recommended to stress relieve the parts before hardening them to minimize distortion. Heat the material to a temperature of 1166 - 1202°F (630 - 650°C), hold for approx. 2 hours, then cool in air to room temperature.

Hardening HSS M2

To harden M2 first preheat the material, in an air circulating furnace, uniformly to a temperature of 752°F (400°C), then increase the heat uniformly to 1562°F (850°C) and for the final preheating stage increase the heat from 1562°F (850°C) to 1922°F (1050°C). Then rapidly take the temperature to 2174 - 2246°F (1190 - 1230°C) and soak for 5 - 15 minutes.

Quenching HSS M2

• Salt bath – quench to a temperature of 1000 - 1100°F (538 - 593°C), then cool further to 150°F (66°C). After the quench the material has to be tempered immediately.
• Vacuum – quench to a temperature below 1000°F (538°C) at a rate of 50°F (10°C), then cool to ambient temperature.
• Air

Tempering the HSS M2

Heat the material to 986 - 1040°F (530 - 560°C) and hold for a minimum of 2 hours. It is recommended to double temper this material.

HSS M2 steel tempering chart diagramHSS M2 steel tempering chart diagram

Dimensional changes of HSS M2

High Speed Steel M2 can undergo dimensional changes during heating or cooling or during phase changes as well as when relieving stresses. To reduce dimensional changes like distortion or warping it is important to control the heating and cooling rates or employ jigs and fixtures to restrain the material. It is always important to allow for those changes by giving an allowance on the material and always to be mindful when tight dimensions are needed.

Sub-Zero treatment for High Speed Steel M2

Sub-Zero treatment can have many advantages like increased wear resistance, increased hardness, enhanced dimensional stability, refined microstructure and stress relief. It can bring some disadvantages like brittleness and when not done correctly cracking due to thermal shock too. The process should be carefully considered and controlled to receive the best possible outcome. 

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) for HSS M2

EDM is used for parts made from one individual piece, for cutting dies or when making intricate shapes. As a non contact, thermal energy based machining process it can be used for hard materials like the M2. Electrodes, surface finish and heat affected zones should be considered before EDM is used for this material grade. Afterwards the material should be checked thoroughly as due to thermal stresses micro cracks might occur in the heat affected zones which might, undetected, lead to tool or part failure. 

Surface treatment for High Speed Steel M2

The choice of surface treatment should always take in consideration which application it will be used for and if it will benefit this. Following are a few examples for surface treatments and their benefits for High Speed Steel M2. 

Nitriding HSS M2

This process introduces nitrogen into the surface of the material. It improves the surface hardness, wear resistance and fatigue life of the material without affecting the given properties of this steel grade. 


Coating HSS M2

Different coatings, applying a thin layer onto the surface of the material, like TiN (Titanium Nitride), TiAlN (Titanium Aluminum Nitride), AlTiN (Aluminum Titanium Nitride) or Diamond coating can enhance surface hardness, wear resistance, prolong tool life and reduce friction.

Chrome Plating

Chrome plating puts a thin layer of chrome onto the surface often used for aesthetic reasons but also to enhance wear resistance, strength and corrosion resistance.

Machinability of HSS M2

In its annealed condition, M2 is considered a “medium” machinability steel with poor grindability capabilities. 

Forging HSS M2

Preheat the material slowly to 1562 - 1652°F (850 - 900°C) and then continue to increase the temperature more quickly to the forging temperature of 1922 - 2102°F (1050 - 1150°C). Do not let the temperature drop below 1616 - 1652°F (880 - 900°C) and larger parts can be cooled slowly in the furnace when finished forging. Small and uncomplicated forgings can be cooled in lime or ashes.

Note, this is not an annealing, when cooled down properly, the parts should be annealed.

Wear resistance for HSS M2

The wear resistance for HSS M2 is 6 on a scale where 1 is low and 6 is high.

Tensile strength for High Speed Steel M2

The tensile strength for HSS M2 is approx. 133.4 KSI (0.145KSI = 1MPa). This value is the result from a tensile test to show how much force is needed before the material starts to stretch or elongate before it breaks.

Working hardness for HSS M2

The working hardness for the M2 is at 658 - 711 BHN (62 - 65 HRC).

Continuous TTT-diagram for HSS M2

This diagram shows the micro changes at different temperatures which are important during heat treatment. They show the optimum condition for the hardening, annealing and normalizing process.

aisi m2 steel continuous ztu-diagram ttt-chart structural changesaisi m2 steel continuous ztu-diagram ttt-chart structural changes

Isothermal TTT-diagram for HSS M2

The following diagram shows the structural changes at micro levels over time at a constant temperature. It shows at what temperatures the different phases, e.g., perlite, martensite and bainite start to form.

aisi m2 steel isothermal time temperature transformation (TTT) diagramaisi m2 steel isothermal time temperature transformation (TTT) diagram

Steel Properties for HSS M2

Steel Density of High Speed Steel M2

Typically the density of High Speed Steel M2 is 0.293 lb/in3 (8.12g/cm3) at room temperature.

Thermal conductivity of HSS M2

The heat conductivity for HSS M2 is at 32.8 W/(m*K) (227 BTU/(h-ft*°F)) at room temperature.

Heat conductivity table
Value By temperature
32.8 68°F
23.5 662°F
25.5 1292°F
HSS M2 thermal conductivity diagram chartHSS M2 thermal conductivity diagram chart

Thermal expansion coefficient for HSS M2

This diagram shows how much the HSS M2 might expand or contract when the temperatures change which can be very important when working with high temperatures or strong temperature changes.

Medium thermal expansion coefficiente
10-6m/(m • K) At a temperature of
10.8 68 - 212°F
11.8 68 - 392°F
12.0 68 - 572°F
12.5 68 - 752°F
HSS M2 steel thermal expansion coefficient diagram chartHSS M2 steel thermal expansion coefficient diagram chart

Specific electrical resistivity for HSS M2

The following table shows the electrical resistivity of HSS M2.

Table of the specific electrical resistivity
Value At a temperature of
0.524 (Ohm*mm²)/m 68°F
0.581 (Ohm*mm²)/m 212°
0.664 (Ohm*mm²)/m 392°F
0.751 (Ohm*mm²)/m 572°F

Modulus of elasticity (Young’s Modulus) of HSS M2

The stress and strain modulus or modulus of elasticity (Young’s modulus) for High Speed Steel M2 is at 32.488 KSI (224 GPa). 

Is HSS M2 a knife steel?

HSS M2 is not a usual knife steel, it is hard to sharpen due to its hardness, though the hardness does give it a sharp edge and great edge retention. Corrosion resistance is a further problem so if making blades for cutting tools they should be maintained probably and kept out of damp and corrosive environments.

Conclusion

HSS M2 is ideal to use for high speed and high wear applications. It has great wear resistance, high impact toughness and good compression strength. Care has to be taken when the material is EDM’ed or welded as these processes can lead to brittleness in those areas and can lead to entry points for rust as well as weak spots where the material can crack. With a good surface treatment the material can be made even harder on the surface as well as reduce friction which is needed when using the material for example for taps or drills. With the right maintenance and use this material can be used for a large variety of applications.

Datasheet for HSS M2

As a steel supplier we provide you with the datasheet for High Speed Steel M2 in PDF format.

High Speed Steel alternatives or equivalent

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Disclaimer

The data shown here has been compiled with the greatest diligence and is regularly updated with regard to the correctness and completeness of its content. The content is indicative only and should not be taken as a warranty of specific properties of the product described or a warranty of suitability for a particular purpose. All information presented is given in good faith and no liability will be accepted for actions taken by third parties in reliance on this information. ABRAMS Industries reserves the right to change or amend the information given here in full or parts without prior notice.