Luois Metals is a well-respected manufacturer and supplier of High Speed Steel M2 Bars based in Houston, USA. They specialize in delivering high-performance tool steels that are crafted for precision and durability. HSS M2 is a type of tungsten-molybdenum high-speed steel that’s renowned for its outstanding wear resistance, impressive toughness, and remarkable red hardness, making it a top choice for cutting tools. At Luois Metals, they adhere to strict quality standards and precision engineering with every M2 bar, ensuring they are a dependable option for industries like automotive, aerospace, engineering, and general manufacturing, where tool life and performance are crucial.
High Speed Steel M2 Bars are mainly made up of carbon, tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, and chromium. This carefully balanced alloy composition results in exceptional hardness, tensile strength, and resistance to deformation even at high temperatures. After heat treatment, M2 steel can reach hardness levels of up to 65 HRC while still maintaining excellent toughness and edge retention. The inclusion of vanadium boosts wear resistance, while molybdenum and tungsten enhance red hardness, ensuring reliable performance during extended cutting tasks. These characteristics make M2 bars ideal for demanding machining and tooling applications.
| ASTM A600 | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | V | Mo | W | |||||||
| M2 regular C | 0.78 | 0.88 | 0.15 | 0.40 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.20 | 0.45 | 3.75 | 4.50 | 1.75 | 2.20 | 4.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 6.75 |
| DIN ISO 4957 | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | V | Mo | W | |||||||
| 1.3343 | 0.86 | 0.94 | … | … | … | … | … | 0.45 | 3.80 | 4.50 | 1.70 | 2.10 | 4.70 | 5.20 | 5.90 | 6.70 |
| JIS G4403 | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | V | Mo | W | |||||||
| SKH51 | 0.80 | 0.88 | … | 0.40 | 0.03 | 0.03 | … | 0.45 | 3.80 | 4.50 | 1.70 | 2.10 | 4.70 | 5.20 | 5.90 | 6.70 |
| Mechanical properties | Metric | Imperial |
| Hardness, Rockwell C (tempered at 1150°F, quenched at 2200°F) | 62 | 62 |
| Hardness, Rockwell C (as hardened, quenched at 2200°F) | 65 | 65 |
| Compressive yield strength (when tempered at 300°F) | 3250 MPa | 471000 psi |
| Izod impact unnotched (when tempered at 300°F) | 67 J | 49.4 ft-lb |
| Abrasion (loss in mm3, as-hardened; ASTM G65) | 25.8 | 25.8 |
| Abrasion (loss in mm3, tempered at 1275°F; ASTM G65) | 77.7 | 77.7 |
| Poisson’s ratio | 0.27-0.30 | 0.27-0.30 |
| Elastic modulus | 190-210 GPa | 27557-30458 ksi |
| Country | USA | German | Japan |
| Standard | ASTM A600 | DIN EN ISO 4957 | JIS G4403 |
| Grades | M2 | 1.3343 | SKH51 |
| Thermal properties | Metric | Imperial |
| CTE, linear (@20.0 – 100°C/ 68.0 – 212°F) | 10 μm/m°C | 5.56 μin/in°F |
| CTE, linear (@20.0 – 500°C/68.0 – 932°F) | 12.2 μm/m°C | 6.78 μin/in°F |
| CTE, linear (@20.0 – 850°C/68.0 – 1560°F) | 12.6 μm/m°C | 7 μin/in°F |
| DENSITY (G/CM 3) | 8.08 |
| DENSITY (LB/IN 3) | 0.292 |
| MELTING POINT (°C) | 1425 |
| MELTING POINT (°F) | 2600 |
Yes, High-Speed Steel M2 can be welded, but it requires careful heat control. Preheating, welding with proper filler material, and post-weld heat treatment are necessary to avoid cracking and preserve hardness.
High-Speed Steel M2 bars are not ideal for high-temperature applications, as they can lose hardness and wear resistance above 540°C, limiting their performance in extreme heat conditions.
High-Speed Steel M2 bars should be stored in a dry, cool environment to prevent corrosion. They should be kept off the ground, ideally on wooden or metal racks, and away from moisture or chemicals.
High Speed Steel M2 Bars find extensive use in industries that require precision cutting tools and components capable of handling heavy loads and high operating temperatures. In the tooling sector, they are commonly used to produce drill bits, milling cutters, saw blades, taps, and reamers. The automotive and aerospace industries utilize them for crafting high-strength machine parts and specialized cutting equipment. Engineering sectors depend on M2 bars for punches, dies, and industrial knives. Their durability, edge retention, and versatility make HSS M2 bars essential in precision machining and high-speed manufacturing processes.






We provide products that come with both mill test certificates and third-party test certificates, ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Louis Metals is a leading manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of high-quality bars, rods, and forgings, catering to various industries in Houston, USA
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