How does M2 compare to M42 cobalt HSS?

M42 adds 8% cobalt which raises the hot hardness — the temperature at which the tool loses cutting ability. M2 retains ~60 HRC to 540°C (1000°F); M42 retains ~62 HRC to 595°C (1100°F). For general machining of carbon and low-alloy steels, M2 is fully adequate. Specify M42 for: (1) machining austenitic stainless steels (304/316 — work-hardening demands higher hot hardness); (2) nickel-based superalloys (Inconel 718 — cutting temperatures easily exceed 600°C at the tool edge); (3) high-speed dry machining where coolant cannot extract heat fast enough. M42 costs approximately 3-5× M2 — the premium is only justified when the M2 tool fails from thermal softening, not wear.

AISI M2 Hoch Geschwindigkeit Stahl: Tungsten-Molybdenum — Cutting Tools, Drills & End Mills

ASTM A600 / ISO HS6-5-2C / DIN 1.3343 · Published: 2026-05-31 · Updated: July 2026

Quick Reference

AISI M2 is the most widely used high-speed steel (HSS) globally, accounting for over 50% of annual HSS tonnage. It is a tungsten-molybdenum grade (6% W, 5% Mo, 4% Cr, 2% V) that achieves secondary hardening during tempering at 550-560°C through...

AISI M2 ist der meiste widely used hoch-geschwindigkeit steel (HSS) globally, accounting für über 50% von annual HSS tonnage. Es ist ein tungsten-molybdenum grade (6% W, 5% Mo, 4% Cr, 2% V) das achieves sekundär hardening während tempering bei 550-560°C durch precipitation von M₂C und MC carbides — dies ist was gives HSS sein defining ability zu maintain hardness und cutting ability bei temperatures auf zu 540°C (1000°F), hence 'hoch geschwindigkeit' (cutting speeds das generate rot-heat bei der werkzeug edge ohne softening). M2 competes against cemented carbide und ceramic tooling in viele applications; es remains kosten-effective für drills, taps, broaches, gear cutters, und milling cutters wo carbide's brittleness oder kosten ist ein barrier.

Quick Facts

Kategorie	Werkzeugstahl
Norm	`ASTM A600 / ISO HS6-5-2C / DIN 1.3343`
Density	8.14 g/cm³
Yield Strength	Compressive yield ~3000 MPa at 64 HRC
Tensile Strength	2000-2500 MPa depending on tempering

Global Equivalents & Cross-Reference

Alternative Norm / Güte	Action
EN HS6-5-2C	Compare
DIN 1.3343	Compare
JIS SKH51	Compare
GB W6Mo5Cr4V2	Compare
Böhler S600	Compare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Wie tut M2 compare zu M42 cobalt HSS?

M42 adds 8% cobalt welche raises der heiß hardness — der temperature bei welche der werkzeug loses cutting ability. M2 retains ~60 HRC zu 540°C (1000°F); M42 retains ~62 HRC zu 595°C (1100°F). Für allgemein machining von carbon und niedrig-alloy steels, M2 ist fully adequate. Specify M42 für: (1) machining austenitic stainless steels (304/316 — arbeiten-hardening demands higher heiß hardness); (2) nickel-based superalloys (Inconel 718 — cutting temperatures easily exceed 600°C bei der werkzeug edge); (3) hoch-geschwindigkeit dry machining wo coolant cannot extract heat fast enough. M42 costs approximately 3-5× M2 — der premium ist nur justified wenn der M2 werkzeug fails von thermal softening, nicht wear.

References & International Standards

ASTM International. Norm Specifications für Stahl & Metal Alloys. astm.org
International Organization für Standardization (ISO). Metallic Materials — Cross-Referenz Database. iso.org
American Iron und Stahl Institute (AISI). Stahl Güte Designations & Equivalents. steel.org
European Committee für Standardization (CEN). EN Stahl Standards & Numbering System. cencenelec.eu