Steel M2 Annealed vs M2 Hardened & Tempered
Steel · M2 temper comparison
M2 Annealed and M2 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same steel grade, M2: Annealed versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. M2 Hardened & Tempered is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 2,400 MPa (348 ksi) against 900 MPa (131 ksi) for M2 Annealed, about 167% more. In exchange, M2 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 0.3% for M2 Hardened & Tempered, and M2 Hardened & Tempered is harder (840 HV vs 245 HV). M2 Hardened & Tempered runs hotter in service (550°C vs 400°C continuous) and M2 Hardened & Tempered conducts heat better (24 W/m·K vs 21.5 W/m·K). On the shop floor, M2 Annealed machines more easily (fair vs not recommended).
M2 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
M2 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
M2 Annealed vs M2 Hardened & Tempered: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
M2 AnnealedM2 Hardened & Tempered
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 84 GPa12.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 570 MPa82.7 ksi · Reduction in Area 25% · Hardness, Brinell 235 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.16 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,480°C2,696 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.1 µm/m·K5.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.55 V · Corrosion Resistance 15 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 40% · Weldability 18 / 100 · Formability (cold) 12 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 70 L/kg8.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
M2 Annealed vs M2 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
Is M2 Hardened & Tempered stronger than M2 Annealed?
Yes. M2 Hardened & Tempered has a typical tensile strength of 2,400 MPa (348 ksi) against 900 MPa (131 ksi) for M2 Annealed — about 167% more.
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Hardened & Tempered?
Annealed is the default M2 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, M2 Annealed or M2 Hardened & Tempered?
M2 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against not recommended (5/100) for M2 Hardened & Tempered.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M2 Annealed and M2 Hardened & Tempered side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.