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Technical
Information for M-4 High Speed Steel
 | M-2 is a tungsten-molybdenum high speed steel. M-2 is
widely used in applications requiring a high degree of toughness, grindability, good wear
resistance and high hardness. Typical analysis is shown in the chart below: |
| Carbon |
Tungsten |
Vanadium |
Chromium |
Molybdenum |
| 0.85% |
6.35% |
1.9% |
4.15% |
5.0% |
| Applications include:
 | Lathe Tools |
| Thread Cutters |
| Planer Tools |
| End Mills |
| Drills |
| Gear Cutters
|
| Taps |
| Wood Knives
|
| Reamers |
| Blanking Dies
|
| Broaches |
| Lamination Dies
|
| Milling Cutters |
| Gear Cutters
|
| Form Cutters |
| Router Bits |
|
| Heat Treatment:
| Forging:
 | Preheat slowly to 1600º F until piece is thoroughly
heated through, then increase heat to 1950ºF - 2050ºF. |
| DO NOT hot work M-2 below 1700ºF. |
| After forging, allow M-2 to cool slowly, packed in lime or
other insulating material. (For large forgings, let soak in large furnace at 1450ºF, then
cool in furnace.) |
| Anneal as soon as possible. |
|
| Annealing:
| Surface protection - Anneal in controlled atmosphere
furnace or pack in an inert material. |
| Slowly heat M-2 to 1550º - 1600º. Cool slowly at a
rate of 20ºF/hr until furnace is black. Shut down furnace, allow to cool normally.
Annealed hardness range is 200 - 240 Brinell. |
| Stress-relieving: Temperature 1100ºF - 1290ºF. Rough machine
after stress relieving.Hold tool for 2 hours after reaching full temperature. Cool in
furnace to 930ºF and then air-cool. |
|
| Hardening:
| For best results, harden M-2 in slat baths or controlled
atmosphere furnaces. |
| Pre-heat slowly to 1450°F - 1550°F, and ensure equal
temperature throughout the piece. |
| Transfer piece to high-temp bath or furnace. |
| Hold steel at temperature depending on M-2 use: Single edge cutting tools: 2175°F - 2225°F (salt bath),
2200°F - 2250°F (furnace) Rotating multi-edge cutting tools: 2150°F - 2200°F Punches, Dies, Etc:
1920°F - 2100°F |
| After holding at hardening temperature for the appropriate
time, quench immediately into salt at 1000°F - 1100°F or warm oil. allow temperature
equalization to occur if using salt bath: if oil quenched, remove at 900°F and air cool. |
|
|
| Tempering:
| Temper immediately when piece reaches 150ºF or when
comfortably hand-held. |
| Tempering temperature should be in the range of 1025ºF -
1100ºF. |
| Heat slowly to temperature, hold tools at heat for 2 hours
before air cooling. |
| For best toughness, after tool has cooled, retemper for 2
additional hours at slightly lower temperature. |
For more information Please call us at 1-800-654-2901
or fax us at (860) 684-6354
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