Grade Brief
The chemical elements and their ranges in M42 provide the steel with its distinct properties, such as wear resistance and red hardness, making it suitable for high-performance applications
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Carbon (C)
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Silicon (Si)
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Manganese (Mn)
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Phosphorus (P)
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Sulfur (S)
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Chromium (Cr)
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Molybdenum (Mo)
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Vanadium (V)
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Grade Brief
Goel Steel Company specializes in the supply and stock of M42 High Speed Steel Powder Metallurgy steels in India. Known for its high-carbon, high-speed molybdenum composition, M42 steel is characterized by its impressive wear resistance, toughness, and red hardness. These qualities make M42 an excellent choice for high-stress applications where precision and durability are paramount. Due to its low vanadium content, M42 has exceptional grindability, enhancing its adaptability for high-precision tool-making. Common applications include die-sinking cutters, milling cutters, engraving tools, and automatic lathe tool bits. Its properties also make it well-suited for cold extrusion and aerospace component machining, especially for materials like titanium alloys.
M42, categorized under the molybdenum-based high-speed steels, possesses an optimal balance of toughness, wear resistance, and red hardness, essential for demanding environments. It is frequently applied in tools used for cold work, high-speed, and light-cutting operations. The primary group of high-speed steels produced globally, “Group M” steels, includes M42 as a critical alloy due to its molybdenum content. These steels are non-cobalt, making them highly versatile and suitable for physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings, such as titanium nitride or titanium carbide, which enhance their functional durability.
Mode of Supply
Goel Steel Company offers M42 High Speed Steel Powder Metallurgy steels in various sizes and shapes, including flat, square, and round bars, customized to client requirements. Our stock includes
Consult our technical team for further information and assistance on M42 steel requirements.
Steel Properties
This high-carbon, high-speed steel is founded on molybdenum, which enhances its durability and performance
- Wear Resistance: High, suitable for precision tools that operate under high friction.
- Red Hardness: Excellent, maintaining strength at elevated temperatures.
- Toughness: High, allowing it to withstand rigorous applications.
- Grindability: The low vanadium content ensures effective grinding, making M42 an ideal choice for precision shaping and machining.
Mechanical Properties
- Impact Toughness: 13.6 J to 24 J
- Hardness: 65.8 HRC
- Modulus of Elasticity: 190-210 GPa
Physical Properties
- Density: 8.14 g/cm³
- Machinability: 35-40% of 1% carbon steel, indicating moderate ease of machining.
- Thermal Conductivity: 27.187 W/m°C, facilitating heat dissipation.
- Thermal Expansion Coefficient: 11.8 x 10⁻⁶/°C, suitable for high-temperature applications.
Heat Treatment & Processes
The heat treatment process varies based on component size, composition, and other variables, ensuring M42 High Speed Steel Powder Metallurgy steels achieve optimal mechanical properties:
- Hardening:
○ Preheat M42: Begin at 820–870°C.
○ Final Hardening Temperature: For best results, heat in a controlled salt bath or furnace at 1160–1180°C (salt) or 1180–1190°C (vacuum or atmospheric furnace).
○ Quenching: After achieving the hardening temperature, quench M42 in heated oil or salt at 540–595°C for maximum hardness retention.
- Tempering:
○ Temper immediately post-quenching within a range of 510-600°C. Triple tempering is recommended, with each cycle lasting at least two hours, ensuring the component cools to room temperature between cycles.
- Forging:
○ Heat M42 High Speed Steel Powder Metallurgy steels slowly to 650–760°C, then rapidly increase to 1010–1150°C, which is the forging range. Do not drop below 980°C during forging to prevent structure degradation. Post-forging, slow cooling is essential to retain the steel’s properties.
- Stress Relieving:
○ To minimize distortion risks, stress relief after machining and before hardening is recommended. Heat to 600-650°C, soak for approximately two hours, then cool gradually in a furnace.
- Annealing (Soft):
○ M42 High Speed Steel does not typically undergo standard annealing. Instead, it undergoes soft annealing, where the steel is heated below its critical point at 800–850°C and maintained there based on thickness. The furnace cools slowly to achieve a hardness of no more than 260 Brinell.
- Welding:
○ For M42 welding, preheat, interpass, and post-heat temperatures are crucial, ranging from 950°F to 1050°F. Avoid exceeding 1000°C (537°F) to maintain steel integrity. After cooling to 400°F (200°C), temper for 1 hour per inch thickness.
Soft Annealing and Stress-Relief Annealing Parameters
Soft Annealing
○ Temperature: 820–860°C
○ Cooling: Furnace cooling
○ Hardness: Maximum 277 HB
Soft Stress-Relief Annealing
○ Temperature: 630–650°C
○ Cooling: Furnace
Hardness Achievable After Heat Treatment
○ Preheating at approximately 400°C
○ First heating: 850°C
○ Second heating: 1050°C
○ Hardening range: 1160–1190°C
○ Quenching: Salt bath or oil
○ Tempering: Minimum two cycles at 550–560°C
○ Resulting hardness: 66–69 HRC
Applications
M42 High Speed Steel Powder Metallurgy steels excel in demanding applications due to their mechanical and physical properties. Suitable applications include:
Precision Tools
Automated Tool Bits
Cold Extrusion Tools
For further information on M42 High Speed Steel Powder Metallurgy steels or to inquire about custom sizes, contact Goel Steel Company, your trusted supplier and stockist of specialized steel solutions in India.