Steel M62
AISI/SAE M62 · UNS T11362
M62 (T11362) is a high-vanadium, cobalt-alloyed molybdenum high-speed steel that provides superior wear resistance when machining tough, abrasive workpiece materials.
Reference datasheet — M62 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 A condition
M62 tempers and conditions
M62 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard mill-supplied condition for machining tool blanks before hardening. | 560 | 900 | 12 | 25 HRC | 24 W/m·K |
Annealed, centreless ground / precision-ground bar | Pick when tool blanks need close diameter tolerance and clean surface before hardening. | 560 | 900 | 12 | 25 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Q&T + surface treatment | Finished cutting-tool condition where a coating adds lubricity and further raises abrasive/adhesive wear life. | 2,000 | 2,100 | 0.5 | 67 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
Q&T 66–68 HRC | Standard working condition: maximum hot hardness and wear resistance for drilling/milling superalloys and hardened steels. | 2,100 | 0.2 | 67 HRC | 20 W/m·K | |
Q&T 64–66 HRC | Choose for interrupted cuts, larger cutters and cold-work punches where edge chipping is the risk. | 2,300 | 0.5 | 65 HRC | 21 W/m·K |
What is M62?
M62 (T11362) is a high-vanadium, cobalt-alloyed molybdenum high-speed steel that provides superior wear resistance when machining tough, abrasive workpiece materials. Annealed and coarse-grain annealed bar runs about 255 HB / 25 HRC with 900 MPa tensile, 560 MPa yield, 12 % elongation and 24 W/m·K; quenched-and-tempered conditions of 64–66 and 66–68 HRC plus a surface-treated option are on file, with service to roughly 500 °C. The high vanadium content makes it hard to machine (score 28) and effectively unformable cold (10), and corrosion resistance is low (18). M41 is the alternative when grindability matters more than abrasion resistance. M62 has a density of 8.16 g/cm³ (0.295 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,230°C (2,246 °F). M62 has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi).
What is M62 used for?
- Drills and reamers for hard materials
- Heavy-duty cutting tools
- Broaches for high-strength alloys
Advantages
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 5.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 28/100, worse than 91% 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
M62 properties
Typical room-temperature values for M62-A; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
M62 has a density of 8.16 g/cm³ (0.295 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,230°C (2,246 °F).
Mechanical15
M62 has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi).
Thermal6
M62 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
M62 conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of M62 takes about 78 MJ of energy and emits 5.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
M62's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 91% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. M62 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with M62
Is M62 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, low speeds and cobalt/carbide tooling; after hardening only grinding (CBN or seeded-gel alumina wheels) or EDM is practical.
Can M62 be welded?
Essentially non-weldable structurally; repair only by preheated (450–550 °C) TIG/laser build-up with matching HSS filler followed by immediate multiple tempers.
Can M62 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1120 °C with slow cooling and full anneal (≈870 °C, controlled cool) afterwards; no cold forming.
M62 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 | 1.25 – 1.35 | 1.3 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Cr | 3.5 – 4 | 3.75 |
| V | 1.8 – 2.1 | 2 |
| W | 5.75 – 6.5 | 6.25 |
| Mo | 10 – 11 | 10.5 |
| Co | 11 – 12 | 11.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on M62?
Salt-bath or vacuum harden at ~1180–1210 °C, triple temper at 540–560 °C, then steam oxide, nitride or TiN/TiAlN PVD; oil or coat for rust protection in storage.
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 M62 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- T11362
How much does M62 cost?
M62 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.
M62 — frequently asked
What is M62 used for?
M62 is typically used for drills and reamers for hard materials, heavy-duty cutting tools and broaches for high-strength alloys. In short: high-vanadium wear resistance; cobalt HSS to 68 HRC; demanding to grind.
What is the yield strength of M62?
M62 has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is M62 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 91% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, low speeds and cobalt/carbide tooling; after hardening only grinding (CBN or seeded-gel alumina wheels) or EDM is practical.
Can M62 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Essentially non-weldable structurally; repair only by preheated (450–550 °C) TIG/laser build-up with matching HSS filler followed by immediate multiple tempers.
What surface finishes work on M62?
Salt-bath or vacuum harden at ~1180–1210 °C, triple temper at 540–560 °C, then steam oxide, nitride or TiN/TiAlN PVD; oil or coat for rust protection in storage.
Can M62 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1120 °C with slow cooling and full anneal (≈870 °C, controlled cool) afterwards; no cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of M62?
M62 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between M62-A and M62 QT-SURF?
A is the default condition — standard mill-supplied condition for machining tool blanks before hardening. QT-SURF: finished cutting-tool condition where a coating adds lubricity and further raises abrasive/adhesive wear life. Yield strength is 560 MPa in A versus 2,000 MPa in QT-SURF.
How much does M62 cost?
M62 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 — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16: Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
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.