It is a tungsten molybdenum HSS. It is a cold
forming and cutting tool, mainly used for producing machine tool bits. It is
a high carbon version of M1 Tool Steel. Due to it’s uniformly
distributed carbides, it has high wear resistance. High toughness with good
cutting edge retention are it’s main characteristics.
Applications
Cutting tools
Knives
Punches
Twist drills
Reamers
Broaching tools
Taps
Die applications
Reamers
Milling tools
Metal saw
For cold forming tools such as extrusion rams and dies
Cutting tools
Plastic moulds with elevated wear resistance and screws
Countersinks
Typical Analysis :
Carbon
Chromium
Iron
Manganese
Molybdenum
Phosphorus
Silicon
Sulphur
Tungsten
Vanadium
0.78 – 1.0%
3.75 – 4.5%
Balance
0.15 – 0.4%
4.5 – 5.5%
0.03 max%
0.2 – 0.45%
0.03 max%
5.5 – 6.75%
1.75 – 2.2%
Forging
M2 steel component is slowly and uniformly pre-heated to 850-900°C and
then the heat is increased till forging temperature of 1050-1150°C. If
during the forging the temperature of the material drops below 880-900°C,
Re heating is necessary if temperature of the M2 material gets below 880-900°C
. After forging,slowly the M2 component should be cooled down.
Annealing
Annealing should be done after hot working and before the component is re
hardened. M2 high speed steel is heated to 850°C at a rate of no more
than 220°C per hour. Always hold at temperature for one hour / 25mm of
thickness (with minimum two hours ). Then slowly it is cooled in the
furnace. Annealed hardness>= 248 Brinell
Stress Relieving
Stress Relieving is done in order to minimize the distortion< if the
tools made from this steel are heavily machined or are ground.The component
is heated to 675-725°C ,soaked well (2hours approx.)and cooled in the
air. Then the finishing of the tool is done.
Hardening
M2 steel is preheated in 2 steps- firstly at 450-500°C then 850-900°C.
Then it is heated to the final hardening temperature ,i.e.,1200-1250°C
. NOTE: Donot allow the component to stand too long at hardening
temperature. Quenching is done in warm oil or brine. If quenching done in
brine lets the tools to equalize, then quenching in air is done. If the
quenching is done in oil, then remove the M2 component from the oil at 500°C
and then cool in air. Vacuum hardening can also be done.
Tempering
The component needs to be tempered immediately after quenching.Uniform
heating to the selected tempering temperature is done and it must be held
for at least two hours (one hour per 25mm of total thickness). Double
tempering is recommended and for the tools that are cut by wire EDM,we
recommend triple tempering .
Physical Properties
Physical properties
Metric
Imperial
Density
8.16 g/cm3
0.294 lb/in3
Melting Point
4680°C
2600°F
Final Grinding : It needs to be done in good condition using a
suitable dressing tool.Wet grinding is preferable.
Heat Treatment : This procedure will vary according to the shape and
size of M2 tool component.Rate of heating,rate of cooling and soaking time
depends on M2 shape and size.Other factors like type of furnace,medium for
quenching etc also matter.