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M2 Tool Steel | Molybdenum High-Speed Steel (1.3343 / SKH51 / W6Mo5Cr4V2) - Huaxia Steel

Huaxia Steel — Professional High-Speed Tool Steel Supplier

15+ years of experience | ISO 9001 & SGS Certified | Factory-direct pricing | Custom sizes available | Worldwide shipping

What is M2 TOOL STEEL?

AISI M2 is a molybdenum-tungsten high-speed tool steel and the most popular HSS grade in the world. Its carefully balanced composition of tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, and vanadium provides an optimal combination of high hardness (62-65 HRC), excellent wear resistance, and outstanding red hardness—the ability to maintain hardness at elevated temperatures up to 540°C (1000°F). M2 has largely replaced the older T1 grade due to its better toughness at equivalent hardness and more economical alloy content.

Huaxia Steel is a trusted supplier of M2 high-speed tool steel, providing material conforming to ASTM A600, DIN EN ISO 4957 (1.3343), and JIS G4403 (SKH51). We offer M2 in round bars, flat bars, and plates with full mill certification.

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Chemical Composition (wt%)

Element Min (%) Max (%)
Carbon (C) 0.78 0.88
Silicon (Si) 0.20 0.45
Manganese (Mn) 0.15 0.40
Phosphorus (P) 0.030
Sulfur (S) 0.030
Chromium (Cr) 3.75 4.50
Molybdenum (Mo) 4.50 5.50
Tungsten (W) 5.50 6.75
Vanadium (V) 1.75 2.20

Data per ASTM A681 / equivalent standards (2025/2026 Reference).

Mechanical & Physical Properties

  • Hardness (Annealed): ≤241 HB
  • Hardness (Oil Quenched, 2200°F): 64-65 HRC
  • Hardness (Tempered, 1000-1050°F): 62-65 HRC
  • Compressive Yield Strength (300°F temper): 3,250 MPa (471 ksi)
  • Impact Toughness (Charpy C-notch, 300°F temper): 67 J (49.4 ft-lb)
  • Density: 8.14 g/cm³ (0.294 lb/in³)
  • Elastic Modulus: 190-210 GPa (27,557-30,458 ksi)
  • Thermal Conductivity: 41.5 W/m·K (24 Btu/ft/hr/°F)

Heat Treatment Guide

Process Temperature Details
Annealing 870-900°C (1600-1650°F) Furnace cool at ≤25°F/hr to 900°F, then air cool; hardness ≤241 HB
Stress Relieving 650-675°C (1200-1250°F) 2 hrs per inch of thickness; slow furnace cool
Preheating 845°C (1550°F) Essential step; equalize thoroughly
Austenitizing 1175-1220°C (2150-2225°F) Lower range for toughness, upper range for max hardness and wear resistance
Quenching Oil, air, or salt bath Cool to 65-90°C (150-200°F)
Tempering 540-565°C (1000-1050°F) MUST double temper (2+2 hrs); triple temper for critical tooling. Peak hardness (65.5 HRC) at 540°C

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Common Applications

  • Twist drills & reamers
  • Milling cutters (end mills, slab mills, face mills)
  • Broaching tools & gear cutters
  • Taps & threading tools
  • Metal saw blades (circular & band saws)
  • Cold-forming punches & dies
  • Woodworking cutters & planer blades
  • High-wear plastic mold inserts
  • Screws & barrels (extrusion)

International Equivalent Grades

Standard / Country Grade Designation Details
USA (AISI/SAE) M2 ASTM A600; UNS T11302
Germany (DIN) 1.3343 HS-6-5-2C; DIN EN ISO 4957
EU (EN ISO) HS-6-5-2C EN ISO 4957
Japan (JIS) SKH51 JIS G4403
China (GB) W6Mo5Cr4V2 GB/T 9943
UK (BS) BM2 BS 4659

Available Forms & Dimensions

Round bars (dia 2-200mm), Flat bars (thickness 2-20mm x width 10-100mm), Plates (thickness 2-200mm x width up to 610mm), Surface: black, rough-turned, peeled, or ground

Custom sizes: Available upon request. Contact us with your specifications for a tailored quotation.

Why Choose Huaxia Steel as Your M2 TOOL STEEL Supplier?

Factory-Direct Pricing

Eliminate middlemen. Our direct mill partnerships ensure competitive pricing on every order, from small prototype quantities to container loads.

Certified Quality

Every shipment includes full mill test certificates (MTC/EN 10204 3.1). ISO 9001 certified. Third-party SGS inspection available on request.

Custom Processing

Cut-to-size, precision sawing, surface grinding, and heat treatment services. We deliver material ready for your production line.

Fast Global Logistics

Efficient shipping to North America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Standard lead time 7-15 days for stock items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum hardness achievable with M2 tool steel?

The maximum hardness depends on the specific grade. After proper heat treatment, typical maximum hardness ranges from 58-67 HRC. Refer to the heat treatment table above for specific tempering curves.

Q: Can M2 tool steel be welded?

Most tool steels can be welded for repair purposes, but it requires proper preheating, low-hydrogen electrodes, and post-weld heat treatment. For high-chromium grades like D2, welding is generally not recommended for structural applications. Always consult the manufacturer’s welding guidelines.

Q: What is the difference between M2 and other tool steel grades?

Each tool steel grade is optimized for specific applications. The key differentiators are wear resistance, toughness, hot hardness, and heat treatment method (air/oil/water). Compare grades based on your specific requirements: wear resistance (D2 > A2 > O1), toughness (S7 > H13 > A2), and hot hardness (M2 > H13 > D2).

Q: How do I order M2 tool steel from Huaxia Steel?

Simply contact us via the form on this page, email, or phone. Provide the grade, dimensions (thickness x width x length or diameter x length), quantity, and any special requirements such as surface finish or heat treatment condition. Our team will respond with a tailored quotation within 12 hours.

Q: What certifications do your tool steel products carry?

All Huaxia Steel tool steel products are supplied with full Mill Test Certificates (MTC/EN 10204 3.1) showing chemical composition and mechanical properties. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified, and third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV) is available upon request at no extra charge for orders above 5 tons.

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