M2 is characterised by well-balanced toughness, wear resistance and red hardness properties. AISI M2 high-speed steel has largely replaced T1 in most applications due to its superior properties and advantageous pricing. M2 is medium-alloyed and is a good all-round performer with good machinability, in this respect it is superior to the high alloyed cold work steels.
M2 is characterised by well-balanced toughness, wear resistance and red hardness properties. AISI M2 high-speed steel has largely replaced T1 in most applications due to its superior properties and advantageous pricing. M2 is medium-alloyed and is a good all-round performer with good machinability, in this respect it is superior to the high alloyed cold work steels.
HSS grade steel M2 is a medium alloyed high speed steel which has good machinability. The H-SS M2 chemical composition gives a good combination of well-balanced toughness, wear resistance and red hardness properties. Widely used for cutting tools such as twist drills, taps, milling cutters, saws, knives etc. Also commonly used in cold work punches and dies and cutting applications involving high speed and light cuts. Grade M2 High Speed Steel is by far the most popular high speed steel replacing high speed steel grade T1 in most applications because of its superior properties and relative economy.
| Standard | Grade | C | Si | Mn | Cr | P | S | Mo | V | W |
| ASTM | M2 | 0.78-0.88 | 0.2-0.45 | 0.15-0.40 | 3.75-4.50 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.03 | 4.50-5.50 | 1.75-2.20 | 5.50-6.75 |
| DIN | 1.3343 | 0.86-0.94 | ≤0.45 | ≤0.40 | 3.80-4.50 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.03 | 4.70-5.20 | 1.75-2.10 | 5.90-6.70 |
| JIS | SKH51 | 0.80-0.88 | ≤0.45 | ≤0.40 | 3.80-4.50 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.03 | 4.70-5.20 | 1.75-2.10 | 5.90-6.70 |
Surface Finish: Black, Peeled, Machined/Turned or as per given requirements.
Forged Round Bar: 20mm - 650mm (Dia)
Rolled Bars: 12mm - 360mm (Dia)
Forged flats: 30-400mm(T)*500-1200mm(W)
Rolled flats: 10-360mm(T)*30-1020mm(W)
Other sizes of O1 material or as per customer’s requirements
Soft annealing
820 to 850 °C for about 2 to 5 hours
slow controlled cooling of 10 to 20 °C per hour to about 550 °C;
further cooling in air. Maximum 270 HB
Hardening
1190 - 1230 °C
Quenching in oil/compressed gas/air/hot bath
obtainable hardness: 66 HRC
Tempering
slow heating to tempering temperature (to avoid forming of cracks)
immediately after hardening;
triple tempering is recommended
Typical applications for M2 high speed steel are twist drills, reamers, broaching tools, taps, milling tools, metal saws. M2 is suitable for cold forming tools such as extrusion rams and dies, also widely used in all kinds of cutting tools, knife and punches and die applications, plastic moulds with elevated wear resistance and screws.