M2 High-Speed Steel (UNS T11302) is a very difficult-to-machine material that we run regularly for export customers. It has a density of 8.16 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 2400 MPa and a typical hardness of HRC 64. Those numbers make it the right choice for drills and taps and broaches, and a poor choice when cost or corrosion resistance matters more than mechanical performance.
On our machines we hold +/-0.03 mm on turned and milled features and reach Ra 1.6 um where the drawing calls for it. Standard lead time for M2 High-Speed Steel parts is 5-10 working days, including material procurement, machining and any finishing operation you specify.
M2 High-Speed Steel: key properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS / designation | T11302 |
| Density | 8.16 g/cm3 |
| Tensile strength | 2400 MPa |
| Hardness | HRC 64 |
| Machinability | Very difficult |
| Suggested cutting speed (carbide) | 60-90 m/min |
| Relative material cost | 4 of 5 |
Machining M2 High-Speed Steel: what to plan for
- Extremely abrasive
- Only machinable annealed
- High red hardness needs CBN grinding
Cutting speed for M2 High-Speed Steel with carbide tooling sits around 60-90 m/min. Going faster burns the edge; going much slower causes rubbing and a poor surface. Flood coolant is not optional here. If your part has thin walls or a lot of stock to remove, say so in the RFQ — we plan roughing, stress relief and finishing as separate operations when the geometry demands it.
Parts we machine in M2 High-Speed Steel
- Drills and taps
- Broaches
- Cutting tools
- Punches
Most M2 High-Speed Steel work arrives as 2D drawings with a mix of critical and non-critical features. Loosening tolerance on the non-critical ones is the fastest way to cut cost, and we will tell you which features those are before we quote.
Tolerances, finish and lead time
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| General tolerance | +/-0.03 mm |
| Achievable surface finish | Ra 1.6 um |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.8 mm (aluminium) / 1.0 mm (steel and stainless) |
| Typical lead time | 5-10 working days |
| Prototype quantity | 1 piece |
| Production quantity | 10 to 50,000 pieces |
Frequently asked questions
What is the lead time for M2 High-Speed Steel parts?
Standard is 5-10 working days from drawing release, assuming the material is in stock. Exotic grades and cast forms can add 5 to 10 days. Finishing such as anodizing or plating adds 3 to 5 days.
What tolerance can you hold in M2 High-Speed Steel?
+/-0.03 mm is routine on turned and milled features. Tighter than that is possible on specific features by grinding or lapping, but it is quoted separately because it changes the process.
Do you keep M2 High-Speed Steel in stock?
We hold common sizes of M2 High-Speed Steel and buy mill-certified stock for everything else. Material certificates are supplied with the parts on request.
Can you supply M2 High-Speed Steel parts with a certificate of conformity?
Yes. We issue a dimensional report, a material certificate and a certificate of conformity as standard for production orders, and full PPAP or AS9102 paperwork when the programme requires it.
Related pages
- Materials — the full index for this section.
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- Inconel 718 CNC Machining: Cost, Tooling, Lead Time
- A2 Tool Steel CNC Machining for Blanking Dies
- Monel 400 CNC Machining for Seawater Hardware
- Instant CNC quote
- Tolerance quick reference
- Frequently asked questions
Get a price for your part
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