Steel M52
AISI/SAE M52 · UNS T11352
M52 (T11352) is a molybdenum high-speed steel similar to M50 but with higher carbon and vanadium for added wear resistance, used for high-performance bearings and cutting tools.
Reference datasheet — M52 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the ANN condition
M52 tempers and conditions
M52 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. ANN is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard supply condition for machining, forming and blank preparation before hardening. | 520 | 860 | 15 | 24 HRC | — |
Annealed, cold drawn / ground bar | Use when close diameter tolerance and good surface are needed on blanks before hardening. | 650 | 950 | 10 | 26 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered 60–62 HRC | Choose when impact or shock loading matters more than maximum wear life (punches, shafts, heavily loaded rings). | 2,050 | 2,400 | 1 | 61 HRC | — |
Hardened + deep cryogenic (−196 °C) + triple temper, 65–66 HRC | Pick for premium bearing rings/balls where retained austenite must be minimised for dimensional stability and maximum wear life. | 2,100 | 2,300 | 0.5 | 66 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered 63–65 HRC | Standard austenitize (~1190–1215 °C salt/vacuum), quench and triple temper at 540–560 °C for tools and premium bearing components. | 2,200 | 2,600 | 0.5 | 64 HRC | 23 W/m·K |
What is M52?
M52 (T11352) is a molybdenum high-speed steel similar to M50 but with higher carbon and vanadium for added wear resistance, used for high-performance bearings and cutting tools. Annealed stock is about 248 HB (24 HRC, 101 HRB) with 860 MPa tensile, 520 MPa yield, 15 % elongation and 213 GPa modulus; hardened conditions of 60–62 and 63–65 HRC, a cryogenic treatment and cold-drawn annealed bar are on file, with service to about 400 °C. It has the best machinability of this group (score 40) but low weldability (15) and formability (20), and its roughly 4 % Cr gives no stainless behaviour (corrosion score 20). M50 is the standard alternative where the extra hardness is not required. M52 has a density of 8.03 g/cm³ (0.29 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of steel grades. It melts at 1,240°C (2,264 °F). M52 has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 213 GPa (30.9 Msi).
What is M52 used for?
- High-performance rolling bearings
- Cutting tools for abrasive materials
- Aerospace bearing components
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 3.3 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 92% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 45 MPa·√m (41 ksi·√in), worse than 90% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades
M52 properties
Typical room-temperature values for M52-ANN; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
M52 has a density of 8.03 g/cm³ (0.29 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of steel grades. It melts at 1,240°C (2,264 °F).
Mechanical17
M52 has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 213 GPa (30.9 Msi).
Thermal6
M52 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.2 µm/m·K (6.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
M52 conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of M52 takes about 46 MJ of energy and emits 3.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
M52's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (20/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. M52 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with M52
Is M52 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, cobalt HSS or coated carbide, low speeds and flood coolant; hardened parts require CBN grinding or EDM.
Can M52 be welded?
Not recommended for structural joints; repair welds only with matched HSS filler, 500–550 °C preheat and immediate temper to avoid quench cracking.
Can M52 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–1150 °C with slow controlled cooling and full spheroidize anneal; essentially no cold formability.
M52 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.85 – 0.95 | 0.9 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.45 | 0.3 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.45 | 0.3 |
| Cr | 3.5 – 4.3 | 3.9 |
| Mo | 4 – 4.9 | 4.5 |
| W | 0.75 – 1.5 | 1.1 |
| V | 1.65 – 2.25 | 2 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on M52?
Grind and lap for bearing surfaces; protect with black oxide, phosphate or PVD TiN/TiAlN — the 4 % Cr does not give stainless behaviour.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel M52 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- T11352
How much does M52 cost?
M52 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
M52 — frequently asked
What is M52 used for?
M52 is typically used for high-performance rolling bearings, cutting tools for abrasive materials and aerospace bearing components. In short: bearing-grade high-speed steel; higher C and V than M50; best machinability in group.
What is the yield strength of M52?
M52 has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 67% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is M52 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, cobalt HSS or coated carbide, low speeds and flood coolant; hardened parts require CBN grinding or EDM.
Can M52 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not recommended for structural joints; repair welds only with matched HSS filler, 500–550 °C preheat and immediate temper to avoid quench cracking.
What surface finishes work on M52?
Grind and lap for bearing surfaces; protect with black oxide, phosphate or PVD TiN/TiAlN — the 4 % Cr does not give stainless behaviour.
Can M52 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–1150 °C with slow controlled cooling and full spheroidize anneal; essentially no cold formability.
What is the maximum service temperature of M52?
M52 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between M52-ANN and M52 HT-CRYO?
ANN is the default condition — standard supply condition for machining, forming and blank preparation before hardening. HT-CRYO: pick for premium bearing rings/balls where retained austenite must be minimised for dimensional stability and maximum wear life. Yield strength is 520 MPa in ANN versus 2,100 MPa in HT-CRYO.
How much does M52 cost?
M52 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM A600 — Standard Specification for Tool Steel High Speed — ASTM International (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (High-Speed Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16: Machining — ASM International (1989)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.