Steel M2 Hardened & Tempered vs M2 Stress Relieved
Steel · M2 temper comparison
M2 Hardened & Tempered and M2 Stress Relieved are two conditions of the same steel grade, M2: Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered) versus Stress Relieved. 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 880 MPa (128 ksi) for M2 Stress Relieved, about 173% more. In exchange, M2 Stress Relieved is the more ductile: elongation 13% versus 0.3% for M2 Hardened & Tempered, and M2 Hardened & Tempered is harder (840 HV vs 240 HV). M2 Hardened & Tempered conducts heat better (24 W/m·K vs 21.5 W/m·K). On the shop floor, M2 Stress Relieved machines more easily (fair vs not recommended).
M2 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design.
M2 Stress RelievedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
M2 Hardened & Tempered vs M2 Stress Relieved: 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 Hardened & TemperedM2 Stress Relieved
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 84 GPa12.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28
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
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 · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 550°C1,022 °F · 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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: 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 Hardened & Tempered vs M2 Stress Relieved — frequently asked
Is M2 Hardened & Tempered stronger than M2 Stress Relieved?
Yes. M2 Hardened & Tempered has a typical tensile strength of 2,400 MPa (348 ksi) against 880 MPa (128 ksi) for M2 Stress Relieved — about 173% more.
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Hardened & Tempered or Stress Relieved?
Annealed is the default M2 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Hardened & Tempered nor Stress Relieved). 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 Hardened & Tempered or M2 Stress Relieved?
M2 Stress Relieved. Its machinability rates fair (36/100) against not recommended (5/100) for M2 Hardened & Tempered.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M2 Hardened & Tempered and M2 Stress Relieved 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.