Audited Supplier
round bar
Round
AISI, ASTM, DIN, JIS, GB, BS
Stainless Steel Scrap
Forged
Bar
Black/Milled/Machined
High-strength Steel Plate, Wear Resistant Steel, Silicon Steel, Cold Heading Steel, Free Cutting Steel, Mold Steel
Tool Steel Bar
Smooth
Wooden
6-400mm
China
7214100000
Product Description
M3 Class 2 High-Speed Steel Overview
M3 high-speed steel is a classic type of high-speed steel, widely utilized in the manufacturing of cutting and forming tools due to its exceptional performance. It boasts excellent wear resistance, good toughness, and the ability to maintain hardness at high temperatures, making it suitable for high-speed machining operations. Additionally, M3 steel is easy to machine and grind, allowing for the production of complex tool geometries. Given its outstanding performance and versatility, M3 steel is employed in aerospace, automotive, and other engineering industries for manufacturing precision parts and tools.
Chemical Composition:
| Element | Composition (%) |
| Carbon (C) | 1.15 - 1.25 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 3.75 - 4.50 |
| Vanadium (V) | 1.75 - 2.20 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 4.50 - 5.50 |
| Tungsten (W) | 5.50 - 6.75 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 - 0.45 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.20 - 0.45 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
Properties:
High Wear Resistance: M3 steel exhibits excellent wear resistance, making it suitable for cutting and forming tools subjected to high-speed machining operations.
Excellent Toughness: Despite its high hardness, M3 steel retains good toughness, allowing it to withstand impact and shock loads without fracturing.
Good Hardness Retention at Elevated Temperatures: M3 maintains its hardness even at elevated temperatures, ensuring consistent performance in hot machining applications.
Excellent Machinability and Grindability: M3 steel is easy to machine and grind to precise dimensions, facilitating the production of complex tool geometries.
Good Dimensional Stability During Heat Treatment: M3 exhibits minimal distortion during heat treatment processes, ensuring dimensional accuracy and repeatability in tool manufacturing.
Applications:
Cutting Tools: M3 high-speed steel is widely used for manufacturing cutting tools such as drills, taps, end mills, reamers, and milling cutters.
Cold Work Tools: It is also employed in the production of cold work tools, including punches, dies, and forming tools for shaping metals at room temperature or below.
Plastic Molding Dies: M3 steel finds application in the production of injection molding dies, extrusion dies, and other tooling for processing plastic materials.
Aerospace and Automotive Components: Due to its high performance and versatility, M3 steel is utilized in the manufacture of precision components for aerospace, automotive, and other engineering industries.
Heat Treatment:
Annealing: Heat the steel to 820-850°C, then hold for one hour per inch of thickness. Slowly cool in the furnace to below 500°C before air cooling.
Hardening: Preheat the steel to 540-650°C, then raise the temperature to 1200-1240°C and hold for sufficient time (typically 5-30 minutes) for complete austenitization. Quench rapidly in oil or air to achieve full hardness.
Tempering: Temper immediately after quenching. Heat the hardened steel to the desired tempering temperature (500-650°C) and hold for at least one hour. Cool in still air or oil.
Surface Treatment:
Nitriding: M3 steel can be nitrided to improve surface hardness, wear resistance, and fatigue strength.
Coating: Various coatings such as titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN), and diamond-like carbon (DLC) can be applied to enhance surface properties and prolong tool life.
Quality Assurance:
Conformance to Standards: M3 steel should comply with relevant international standards such as ASTM A600 and ISO 4957.
Quality Control Measures: Quality assurance measures may include chemical analysis, mechanical testing, ultrasonic inspection, and microstructural examination.
Environmental Considerations:
Waste Management: Proper disposal of machining chips, grinding swarf, and heat treatment residues to minimize environmental impact.
Emissions Control: Compliance with environmental regulations governing emissions from heat treatment furnaces and surface treatment processes.
Conclusion:
M3 high-speed steel is a versatile and high-performance tool steel suitable for a wide range of cutting, forming, and molding applications. Its exceptional combination of wear resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability makes it an ideal choice for demanding machining operations across various industries.
