M42 Tool Steel/SKH59/HS 2-9-1-8/1.3247 High Speed Steel
M42 steel, also known as "high-speed steel" (HSS) or "cobalt high-speed steel," is a type of tool steel renowned for its exceptional combination of hardness, wear resistance, and heat resistance. It belongs to the tungsten-molybdenum-cobalt (W-Mo-Co) class of high-speed steels and is widely used in various cutting tool applications where high-temperature performance and wear resistance are critical.
Chemical Composition:
| Element |
Composition (%) |
| Carbon (C) |
1.05-1.15 |
| Manganese (Mn) |
0.15-0.40 |
| Silicon (Si) |
0.15-0.65 |
| Chromium (Cr) |
3.50-4.25 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
9.00-10.00 |
| Vanadium (V) |
1.15-1.85 |
| Cobalt (Co) |
7.75-8.75 |
| Phosphorus (P) |
≤0.030 |
| Sulfur (S) |
≤0.030 |
Properties:
- High Hardness: M42 steel exhibits high hardness after heat treatment, providing excellent wear resistance and edge retention in cutting applications.
- Superior Red Hardness: It maintains hardness and cutting performance at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for high-speed machining operations and applications involving intermittent cutting.
- Excellent Wear Resistance: M42 steel offers exceptional wear resistance due to its high cobalt content, making it ideal for machining abrasive materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and nickel alloys.
- Good Toughness: Despite its high hardness, M42 steel retains good toughness, reducing the risk of chipping or fracturing during heavy-duty machining operations.
- High Heat Resistance: M42 steel retains its hardness and cutting performance at temperatures up to 600°C (1112°F), enabling prolonged tool life and consistent machining accuracy in high-speed machining environments.
- Good Machinability: It exhibits good machinability in the annealed condition, allowing for ease of machining, shaping, and forming processes.
- Excellent Edge Retention: M42 steel maintains sharp cutting edges even under high-speed and heavy-duty machining conditions, ensuring precision and efficiency in cutting operations.
Heat Treatment:
M42 steel undergoes heat treatment processes such as annealing, hardening, and tempering to optimize its mechanical properties. Annealing relieves internal stresses and improves machinability, while hardening increases hardness and wear resistance. Tempering reduces brittleness and enhances toughness, allowing for the desired balance of hardness and toughness to be achieved.
Surface Treatment:
Surface treatments such as coating, nitriding, or PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) can be applied to M42 steel to further enhance its wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and overall performance in specific applications. These treatments can prolong tool life, improve cutting performance, and reduce friction and adhesive wear during machining operations.
Quality Assurance:
M42 steel is manufactured to meet various international quality standards such as ASTM A600 and AISI M42. Quality assurance processes ensure consistency in chemical composition, mechanical properties, and dimensional accuracy of the material. Quality control measures are implemented throughout the production process to ensure that M42 steel meets the stringent requirements of end-users and applications.
Environmental Considerations:
In manufacturing and machining processes involving M42 steel, environmental considerations such as waste management, emissions control, and energy efficiency should be taken into account to minimize environmental impact. Recycling and proper disposal of metalworking fluids, chips, and by-products are essential to reduce environmental pollution and ensure sustainable practices in the industry.
Applications:
- Cutting Tools: M42 steel is commonly used for manufacturing cutting tools such as drills, taps, end mills, and saw blades used in high-speed machining operations.
- Milling Cutters: It finds application in the production of milling cutters for milling various materials, including steel, aluminum, and titanium, in automotive, aerospace, and general machining industries.
- Turning Tools: M42 steel is employed in the production of turning tools for machining cylindrical components in precision engineering, automotive, and aerospace sectors.
- Drill Bits: It is utilized in the manufacturing of drill bits for drilling holes in metal, wood, and composite materials in construction, fabrication, and woodworking industries.
- Saw Blades: M42 steel is used for manufacturing high-performance saw blades for cutting ferrous and non-ferrous materials in metalworking, woodworking, and construction applications.
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