Premium M42 HSS Plate for Extreme Cutting Performance

M42 High Speed Steel Plate is a premium cobalt-alloyed tool steel designed for high-speed cutting, high-temperature applications, and heavy-load industrial environments.

Compared with conventional M2 high speed steel, M42 delivers:

Higher hardness

Superior red hardness

Outstanding wear resistance

This makes it the preferred material for high-end cutting tools, precision molds, and difficult-to-machine materials.

As a direct manufacturing factory, we provide stable quality, full traceability, and OEM customization services for global customers.

Chemical Composition of M42 HSS Plate

Grade	C	Mn	P≤	S≤	Si	Cr	V	W	Mo	Co
M42	1.05–1.15	0.15–0.40	0.03	0.03	0.2–0.45	3.8–4.4	1.75–2.20	5.5–6.75	4.5–5.5	Co
M2	0.8–0.9	0.15–0.40	0.03	0.03	0.15–0.65	3.5–4.25	0.95–1.35	1.15–1.85	9.0–10.0	-

Why M42 Outperforms M2 High Speed Steel

Key Advantages

Higher carbon content → increased achievable hardness

Cobalt addition → improved red hardness & thermal stability

Better wear resistance → suitable for high-speed cutting

Longer tool life under extreme working conditions

Performance Comparison

1-2× longer tool life than M2

20–30% higher cutting speed

Superior performance in high-temperature machining

M42 HSS Plate Specifications

Thickness: 0.6 mm – 10 mm

Width: ≥ 500 mm

Length: 1500 – 2400 mm

Processing Method

0.6 – 3.0 mm → Cold Rolled (better surface finish)

3.0 mm → Hot Rolled

Delivery Options

Full plate supply

Precision cutting service

Heat treatment (standard & special processes)

Cryogenic treatment available

Core Applications of M42 High Speed Steel Plate

Cutting Tool Manufacturing

Advantages:

Maintains sharp cutting edge

Excellent wear resistance

Improved machining efficiency

�� Performance Example:
Compared to M2 tools, M42 tools offer:

1-2× longer service life

20–30% higher cutting efficiency

OEM & Customization Services

We support:

Production according to drawings

Sample-based reverse engineering

Performance-based customization

Material selection consulting

Our engineers help optimize material choice such as:

M2 / M35 / M4 /M42/D2 and so on.

Powder metallurgy HSS grades

Strict Quality Control & Full Traceability

We ensure consistent quality through:

Hardness testing

Metallographic analysis

Full-process dimensional inspection

✔ Each batch includes full technical documentation
✔ Traceability from raw material to finished product
✔ Data retention ≥ 15 years

Factory Strength – Direct Manufacturer

We are a fully integrated manufacturer (not a trading company).

Factory Overview

Area: 20,000+ m²

Annual capacity: 6,000+ tons

Monthly capacity: 500 tons

Certifications

ISO 9001

IATF 16949

ISO 14001

ISO 45001

Lead Time & Delivery

Stock products: 7–10 working days

Custom orders: 25–30 days

Urgent orders supported

Global logistics solutions:

Sea freight

Air freight

Rail transport

Why Choose Our M42 HSS Plate

The approximately 8% cobalt content in M42 high-speed steel is a key advantage of this material. The primary role of cobalt is not to directly enhance resistance to tempering softening above 600°C, but rather to strengthen the secondary hardening effect, thereby improving the material's ability to maintain hardness at elevated temperatures.

Key performances include:

The addition of 8% cobalt increases the tempered hardness of M42 by approximately 1.5 HRC compared to similar cobalt-free steels.

In continuous high-speed cutting environments where cutting temperatures reach approximately 650-670°C, M42 maintains excellent hardness levels, allowing for higher cutting speeds or extended tool change intervals.

Maximum Hardness – Up to 69 HRC

Through optimized heat treatment processes, M42 high-speed steel can achieve extremely high room-temperature hardness. Detailed parameters are as follows:

Hardness Indicator	Parameter Range	Description
Quenched + Tempered	66-69 HRC	Can be stably achieved through conventional heat treatment processes (quenching at approximately 1150-1180°C, tempering at 540-560°C).
Peak Hardness	Up to 70 HRC	Can reach 70 HRC under specific process conditions.

Note: When pursuing extreme hardness above 69 HRC, it is necessary to balance toughness against hardness. The specific heat treatment process should be adjusted according to the tool type and application conditions.

Typical Application Scenarios

With its high hardness and excellent high-temperature performance, M42 has become an ideal choice for machining difficult-to-cut materials.

Titanium Alloys & High-Temperature Alloys: Cobalt-containing super-hard high-speed steels (including M42) are suitable for machining high-strength heat-resistant steels, superalloys, titanium alloys, and other difficult-to-machine materials. In one documented case, an aircraft manufacturer used M42 end mills for cutting non-ferrous metals, significantly increasing the cutting speed from 2,000–4,000 r/min to 6,000 r/min.

Stainless Steel: The hardness (67-69 HRC) and wear resistance of M42 effectively address the work-hardening issues encountered during stainless steel machining. Its red hardness properties maintain a sharp cutting edge under the high temperatures generated during high-speed cutting. In practical applications, M42 cutting tools are widely recommended for machining stainless steel and similar materials.

Nickel-Based Alloys & High-Strength Steels: M42 is also suitable for machining nickel-based alloys, high-strength steels, and other difficult-to-cut materials. It is commonly manufactured into precision broaches, form milling cutters, drills, and other complex cutting tools.