1.3343 / HS6-5-2C / M2 – High-speed steel with high wear and heat resistance
Steel 1.3343 (M2) is the most widely used high-speed steel in the world. It is alloyed with high amounts of tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V) and chromium (Cr), which give it extremely high hardness, thermal resistance and stable cutting edge performance.
It is known for its very good toughness, resistance to high cutting temperatures and long service life when machining metals and abrasive materials.
Properties of 1.3343 (M2)
🔥 Extreme heat resistance
The steel maintains its hardness even at high cutting temperatures of approximately 500–600 °C.
🔪 High hardness after hardening (62–66 HRC)
Suitable for high-speed cutting tools that require sharp and strong cutting edges.
🛡️ High wear resistance
Carbides formed by tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium ensure exceptional tool life.
⚙️ Excellent toughness among HSS steels
Reliable for cutting operations involving impact loading.
📏 Stable cutting edge geometry
Minimal distortion under thermal load ensures precise cutting performance.
Chemical composition of 1.3343 (HS6-5-2C, M2)
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| C | 0.85 – 0.95 |
| W | 5.50 – 6.70 |
| Mo | 4.50 – 5.50 |
| V | 1.60 – 2.10 |
| Cr | 3.80 – 4.50 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.40 |
| Si | ≤ 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.030 |
| S | ≤ 0.030 |
Typical applications of 1.3343
🔩 High-speed cutting tools
- drills
- reamers
- taps
- milling cutters (cylindrical and end mills)
- turning and machining tools
⚙️ Forming tools
- dies for light forming operations
- small forming inserts
- punches
🛠️ Cutting and shearing tools
- industrial knives
- sheet cutting knives
- cutting tool segments
🏭 High-production applications
- mass production with high cutting speeds
- machining of unalloyed and alloyed steels
Heat treatment (guideline values)
| Process | Temperature | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Soft annealing | 820 – 880 °C | hardness approx. 230 HB |
| Preheating 1 | approx. 450 °C | slow heating |
| Preheating 2 | 850 – 900 °C | uniform heating |
| Austenitising (hardening) | 1180 – 1230 °C | oil / salt bath / inert atmosphere |
| Tempering | 540 – 570 °C | 2–3 times, target 62–66 HRC |
Mechanical properties
- Hardness after hardening: 62–66 HRC
- Hardness after annealing: approx. 230 HB
- High thermal resistance of the cutting edge
- Excellent toughness among HSS steels
- Extreme resistance to abrasive wear
