Steel M2 · heat-treated state
Steel M2 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other M2 tempers.
Pick when toughness matters more than peak wear resistance: punches, shear blades, heavy-duty cold-work tools.
What is M2 Q&T?
M2 Q&T is M2 heat treated to Q&T — pick when toughness matters more than peak wear resistance: punches, shear blades, heavy-duty cold-work tools. M2 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). M2 Q&T has a density of 8.16 g/cm³ (0.295 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,900 MPa (276 ksi), better than 100% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 550°C (1,022 °F), better than 94% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 22 MPa·√m (20 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 21.5 W/m·K (12.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 92% of steel grades
M2 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for M2 Q&T — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every M2 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
M2 Q&T has a density of 8.16 g/cm³ (0.295 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
M2 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
M2 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 21.5 W/m·K (12.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.1 µm/m·K (5.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
M2 Q&T conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of M2 Q&T takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
M2 Q&T's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (18/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other M2 tempers and conditions
M2 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the M2 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultDefault stocked condition: machine or grind tool blanks, then harden and temper.570 MPa yield · 235 HB
- Hardened & TemperedStandard cutting-tool condition: maximum hardness, wear resistance and red hardness for drills, mills, taps.2,400 MPa tensile
- Q&TPick when toughness matters more than peak wear resistance: punches, shear blades, heavy-duty cold-work tools.1,900 MPa yield · 61 HRC
- As PrintedOnly for additively built tool inserts/coatings; expect residual stress, retained austenite and crack sensitivity — temper or HIP before service.1,300 MPa tensile
- HIPChoose PM/HIP M2 for fine uniform carbides, isotropic properties and better toughness/grindability in large or intricate tools.65 HRC
Working with M2 Q&T
Is M2 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with sharp cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, rigid setups and modest speeds; hardened 64–66 HRC parts require grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can M2 be welded?
Poor weldability — repair welding only, with 500–550 °C preheat, matching HSS filler, immediate post-weld temper to avoid quench cracks.
Can M2 be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold forming; hot work at 1100–900 °C followed by slow cooling and soft annealing at 850–900 °C, then harden 1190–1230 °C and temper 2–3× at 540–580 °C.
What surface finishes work on M2?
Not anodizable; use black oxide, steam oxide, phosphate or nitriding for corrosion and lubricity, and PVD TiN/TiCN/TiAlN below the tempering temperature for wear performance.
M2 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Cregular-carbon M2; high-carbon variant (M2 HC) is 0.95–1.05 | 0.78 – 0.88 | 0.85 |
| W | 5.5 – 6.75 | 6.2 |
| Mo | 4.5 – 5.5 | 5 |
| Cr | 3.75 – 4.5 | 4.15 |
| V | 1.75 – 2.2 | 1.95 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.45 | 0.3 |
| Coresidual only; cobalt-bearing grade is M35/M42 | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Febalance ≈ 80–81% | balance | — |
M2 Q&T — frequently asked
What is M2 Q&T used for?
M2 Q&T is typically used for drill bits, milling cutters and end mills, taps and reamers, broaches, cold-work punches and blanking die inserts. In short: tough high-speed cutting.
What is the yield strength of M2 Q&T?
M2 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is M2 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with sharp cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, rigid setups and modest speeds; hardened 64–66 HRC parts require grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can M2 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (18/100). Poor weldability — repair welding only, with 500–550 °C preheat, matching HSS filler, immediate post-weld temper to avoid quench cracks.
What surface finishes work on M2 Q&T?
Not anodizable; use black oxide, steam oxide, phosphate or nitriding for corrosion and lubricity, and PVD TiN/TiCN/TiAlN below the tempering temperature for wear performance.
Can M2 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold forming; hot work at 1100–900 °C followed by slow cooling and soft annealing at 850–900 °C, then harden 1190–1230 °C and temper 2–3× at 540–580 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of M2 Q&T?
M2 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in M2 Q&T?
Yes — M2 Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A600 — Standard Specification for Tool Steel High Speed — ASTM International (2016)
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (HS6-5-2C / 1.3343) — ISO/CEN (2018)
- JIS G 4403 — High speed tool steels (SKH51) — JSA (2015)
- GB/T 9943 — (W6Mo5Cr4V2) — SAC (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- Böhler S600 / Erasteel M2 high speed steel datasheets — voestalpine Böhler / Erasteel (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.