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 M42 TOOL STEEL?
AISI M42 tool steel is a super high-speed steel containing 8% cobalt, renowned for its exceptional hot hardness and cutting performance at elevated temperatures. The cobalt addition significantly enhances the red hardness, allowing M42 cutting tools to maintain their edge at temperatures up to 600degC (1112degF). M42 is the premier choice for machining difficult-to-cut materials such as stainless steels, high-temperature alloys, titanium alloys, and abrasive non-metallic materials.
M42 offers superior wear resistance compared to standard M2 high-speed steel while maintaining excellent toughness thanks to its balanced alloy composition. The vanadium-rich carbide structure provides outstanding abrasion resistance, making M42 ideal for high-production machining environments where tool life directly impacts manufacturing costs.
Huaxia Steel is a trusted M42 tool steel supplier providing material fully conforming to ASTM A600 standards. We supply M42 in round bars, flat bars, plates, and forged blocks-all backed by mill test certificates (MTC) and available in custom sizes to reduce your machining waste.
Chemical Composition (wt%)
| Element | Min (%) | Max (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.05 | 1.15 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.15 | 0.65 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.15 | 0.40 |
| Phosphorus (P) | – | 0.030 |
| Sulfur (S) | – | 0.030 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 3.50 | 4.25 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 9.00 | 10.0 |
| Tungsten (W) | 1.15 | 1.85 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.95 | 1.35 |
| Cobalt (Co) | 7.75 | 8.75 |
Per ASTM A600 / Equivalent Standards
Mechanical Properties
- Hardness (Annealed): 269 HB max
- Hardness (Hardened + Tempered): 65-70 HRC
- Tensile Strength: ~2,500 MPa (363 ksi)
- Compressive Strength: ~3,200 MPa
- Elastic Modulus: 225 GPa
- Density: 8.05 g/cm3
- Red Hardness: Maintains 60+ HRC at 600degC
Heat Treatment Guide
| Process | Temperature | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annealing | 870-900degC | Furnace cool to 600degC, then air cool |
| Preheating Stage 1 | 450-500degC | Equalize thoroughly |
| Preheating Stage 2 | 850-900degC | Hold until uniform temperature |
| Austenitizing | 1170-1200degC | Salt bath or vacuum preferred |
| Quenching | Salt bath 540degC / Oil | Achieves 65-68 HRC |
| Tempering | 540-595degC | Triple temper; 540degC=68 HRC, 595degC=65 HRC |
Common Applications
- Heavy-duty cutting tools for aerospace alloys (titanium, Inconel, Hastelloy)
- High-performance end mills, drills, taps and reamers
- Broaches and gear cutters
- Form tools for stainless steel machining
- Cold saw blades
- Punches and dies for high-strength sheet metal
- Woodworking tools requiring extreme edge retention
- Thread rolling dies
- Powder metal compaction tooling
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Grade | Details |
|---|---|---|
| USA (AISI) | M42 | UNS T11342, ASTM A600 |
| Germany (DIN) | 1.3247 | S2-10-1-8 |
| EU (EN ISO) | HS2-9-1-8 | EN ISO 4957 |
| Japan (JIS) | SKH59 | JIS G4403 |
| China (GB) | W2Mo9Cr4VCo8 | GB/T 9943 |
Available Forms
Round bars (dia 3-200mm), Flat bars (thickness 3-80mm), Plates (thickness 2-50mm), Forged blocks available on request.
Why Choose Huaxia Steel
Factory-Direct Pricing. Certified Quality to ISO 9001. Custom Processing available. Fast Global Logistics.
FAQ
Q: What makes M42 superior to M2?
M42 contains 8% cobalt for dramatically enhanced hot hardness. Maintains cutting performance at up to 600degC vs 540degC for M2. Enables 15-25% higher cutting speeds.
Q: Can M42 be PVD coated?
Yes, tempering temperature (540-595degC) exceeds PVD coating temperatures (400-500degC), ensuring no substrate softening.
Q: How to order from Huaxia Steel?
Contact us with grade, dimensions, quantity, and finish requirements. Response within 12 hours.
