Superior M2 Tool Steel at Competitive Pricing
High-quality, reliable M2 made for precision and durability.
Why Choose Our M2 Tool Steel?
What is M2 steel? M2 tool steel, also known as M2 HSS or M2 high-speed steel, is highly regarded by tool and die makers for its outstanding material properties, including exceptional hardness, heat resistance, and wear resistance.
At Aobo Steel, we offer industry-leading steel solutions to meet your needs. Our commitment is to quality, reliability, and affordability, ensuring your business thrives without compromise.
Applications
- Cutting tools like drills, mills, taps, and saws.
- Metalworking tools like lathes and reamers.
- Woodworking tools like router bits and planer blades.
- Cold work tools like punches and dies.
- Aerospace and automotive machining tools.
- Wear-resistant parts like guides and bushings.
Competitive Pricing
We combine premium quality with cost-effective pricing, making it easy for businesses to get the most value for their investment. We are factory direct sales, so our price is very competitive. Our pricing strategy is designed to be fair and transparent, with no hidden fees or surprises. We believe competitive pricing is essential in establishing long-term partnerships with our clients.
M2 steel overview
M2 hss steel composition
The composition is listed in the table below. The standards for the composition may vary slightly between different companies. Based on our over 20 years of experience, its composition is roughly as follows.
| Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Tungsten (W) | Vanadium (V) | Silicon (Si) | Manganese (Mn) | Phosphorus (P) | Sulfur (S) |
| Composition (%) | 0.78–0.88 | 3.75–4.50 | 4.50–5.50 | 5.50–6.75 | 1.75–2.20 | 0.20–0.45 | 0.15–0.40 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.03 |
Physical Properties
Property | Value |
Density | 0.294 lb/in³ (8138 kg/m³) |
Specific Gravity | 8.14 |
Modulus of Elasticity | 30 x 10⁶ psi (207 GPa) |
Machinability | 50–60% of a 1% carbon steel |
Mechanical properties
Property | Value |
Hardness (Rockwell C) | 60–65 |
M2 tool steel Tensile Strength (Ultimate) | 760–2,150 MPa (110,000–310,000 psi) |
M2 tool steel Yield Strength | 3,250 MPa (471,000 psi) |
Compressive Yield Strength (tempered at 300°F) | 3,250 MPa (471,000 psi) |
Modulus of Elasticity (Young’s Modulus) | 200–207 GPa (29–30 x 10⁶ psi) |
Shear Modulus | 77 GPa (11 x 10⁶ psi) |
Poisson’s Ratio | 0.29 |
Impact Toughness | 67 J/cm² |
Abrasion Loss (as-hardened; ASTM G65) | 25.8 mm³ |
M2 steel equivalent
Country/Standard | Designation |
USA (AISI) | M2 |
Germany/ISO (DIN) | 1.3343 |
Japan (JIS) | SKH51 |
China (GB/T) | W6Mo5Cr4V2 |
M2 steel heat treatment
Heat treatment is a critical process in production that determines whether the hardness of M2 meets the usage requirements of manufacturing companies. Please refer to the information below.
Hot Working Specification: Starting temperature 1040–1150°C, finishing temperature 930°C.
Annealing Specification: Annealing temperature 820–870°C, M2 steel hardness 207–235 HBW.
Standard Quenching and Tempering Specification: The kiln is heated to 1190–1230°C and cooled in oil, air, or a salt bath; the tempering temperature is 540–600°C, and the M2 steel hardness is 60–65 HRC.
Die Quenching and Tempering Specification: Preheating temperature 730–850°C, quenching temperature: 1216°C in a salt bath furnace or 1227°C in a controlled atmosphere furnace; tempering temperature 550°C, M2 tool steel hardness ≥64 HRC.
D2 Vs. M2 steel
In industrial production, we often compare D2 and M2. The comparison data for these two steels is provided in the table below for reference.
Property | M2 Steel | |
Type | Cold work tool steel | High-speed steel |
Composition | C: 1.40-1.60%, Cr: 10.00-13.00%, Mo: 0.70-1.20%, V: 0.90%, Mn: 0.60%, Si: 0.60%, Fe: Balance | C: 0.80-1.00%, W: 5.50-6.50%, Mo: 4.50-5.50%, Cr: 3.75-4.50%, V: 1.75-2.25%, Mn: 0.15-0.40%, Si: 0.20-0.45%, Fe: Balance |
Hardness (HRC) | 55-62 | 62-65 |
Wear Resistance | Excellent (room temperature) | Excellent (high temperatures) |
Toughness | Good, better for cold work | Good, adequate for high-speed cutting |
Corrosion Resistance | Fair, semi-stainless | Poor |
Heat Resistance | Poor | Excellent |
Machinability | Fair | Poor |
Cost | Moderate | Higher |
Typical Uses | Dies, punches, shear blades | Drill bits, end mills, taps |
Reputation You Can Trust
With decades of expertise and countless satisfied customers, we are a trusted supplier to the tooling and die-making industry. Our commitment to quality and reliability has earned us a reputation that our customers can trust.
M2 steel equivalents: DIN 1.3343 and JIS SKH51
Within the German and Japanese steel standard systems, the equivalents to M2 are DIN 1.2343 and JIS SKH51, respectively. These steels have similar compositions and performances.
1.3343 steel chemical composition
| Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Tungsten (W) | Vanadium (V) | Cobalt (Co) |
| % Range | 1.25–1.40 | 3.8–4.5 | 4.7–5.2 | 5.9–6.7 | 2.7–3.2 | 7.5–8.5 |
1.3343 properties
| Property | Value/Description |
| Hardness (HRC) | 64–66 (after heat treatment) |
| Tensile Strength | ~2,400–2,800 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~2,000–2,200 MPa |
| Impact Toughness | ~15–25 J/cm² (dependent on heat treatment) |
| Density | ~8.1 g/cm³ |
SKH51 steel chemical composition
| Element | Carbon (C) | Tungsten (W) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Chromium (Cr) | Vanadium (V) |
| % Range | 0.80–0.90 | 5.5–6.5 | 4.5–5.5 | 3.8–4.5 | 1.6–2.2 |
SKD51 properties
| Property | Value/Description |
| Hardness (HRC) | 63–65 (after quenching and tempering) |
| Tensile Strength | ~2,000–2,500 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~1,800–2,200 MPa |
| Impact Toughness | ~10–20 J/cm² (varies with heat treatment) |
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