M35
M35 is a cobalt-bearing high speed steel, often referred to as Co-HSS. It is an improved version of M2, containing about 5% cobalt, which significantly increases its red hardness and cutting performance. This makes M35 a popular choice for cutting tough and heat-resistant materials such as stainless steels, titanium alloys, and nickel-based alloys.
Applications
Drilling Tools – twist drills, step drills, and center drills for stainless steel, titanium, and high-strength alloys
Milling Tools – end mills, slot mills, and form cutters requiring high wear resistance
Tapping & Threading Tools – machine taps, hand taps, dies, and thread mills
Broaching Tools – keyway broaches, spline broaches, and surface broaches for hard alloys
Cutting Tools for Hard-to-Machine Materials – stainless steels, inconel, nickel-based alloys, and titanium alloys
Sawing Tools – bandsaw blades and circular saws for alloy steels and nonferrous metals
Reaming Tools – precision reamers for finishing holes in tough or hardened materials
Precision Machining – cutting tools requiring long service life, heat resistance, and dimensional accuracy
Dealer
M35 High Speed Steel is widely supplied by both domestic and international dealers who specialize in tool steels and high-performance cutting materials. These dealers ensure the availability of M35 in various forms and sizes, tailored to different industrial needs.
Hardness
Annealed Condition:
~ 255 HB (approx. 25–27 HRC)
Soft enough for machining before hardening
Hardened & Tempered Condition:
64 – 66 HRC (typical range)
Achieved after proper heat treatment (austenitizing, quenching, tempering)
Hot Hardness (Red Hardness):
Maintains cutting edge hardness up to 600–650 °C
Superior to M2 due to 5% cobalt addition
Equivalent Grades
- AISI / SAE (USA) M35
- DIN (Germany) HS6-5-2-5
- ISO HS6-5-2-5
- JIS (Japan) SKH55
- BS (British Standard) BM35
- UNS (Unified Numbering System) T11335
Heat Treatment
Annealing:
Heat to 850 – 900 °C
Hold for 1 – 2 hours
Cool slowly in the furnace (≤10 °C per hour) down to 600 °C, then air cool
Hardness after annealing: ~255 HB (25–27 HRC):
Stress Relieving
Heat to 600 – 700 °C
Hold for 1 hour
Furnace cool to prevent cracking or distortion
Hardening (Austenitizing & Quenching):
Preheat in two stages: 450 – 500 °C then 850 – 900 °C
Heat to 1180 – 1230 °C (austenitizing temperature)
Hold uniformly, then quench in salt bath, oil, or high-pressure gas
Hardness after hardening: ~66 HRC (before tempering)
Tempering:
Temper immediately after quenching to reduce brittleness
Typical tempering range: 540 – 560 °C
Triple tempering recommended (2 hours each time) for stability
Final hardness after tempering: 64 – 66 HRC
Hardening
Preheating:
Stage 1: Heat to 450 – 500 °C
Stage 2: Heat to 850 – 900 °C
Purpose: to reduce thermal shock and ensure uniform heating
Austenitizing:
Heat to 1180 – 1230 °C (exact temperature depends on section size and furnace type)
Hold at temperature until fully and uniformly heated
Goal: dissolve alloying elements (W, Mo, V, Cr, Co) into austenite
Quenching:
Quench in salt bath, oil, or high-pressure gas
For smaller tools, salt bath is preferred; for larger sections, oil or air blast quenching is used
Result: forms a hard martensitic structure
Hardness after Quenching:
~66 HRC (before tempering)
Tempering Requirement:
Immediate tempering is essential to relieve stresses and prevent cracking
Usually performed 3 times at 540 – 560 °C, holding for 2 hours each
Welding
Preheating:
Heat component to 300 – 500 °C before welding to reduce thermal shock.
Welding Process:
TIG (GTAW) or MMA (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) with matching high-speed steel electrodes.
Use low heat input and short weld runs.
Post-Weld Heat Treatment:
Immediately temper at 540 – 560 °C to relieve stresses.
In some cases, re-hardening and tempering may be required for restoring full properties.
Filler Material:
Use electrodes/rods compatible with high-speed steels (e.g., M2/M35-based fillers).
Machinability
General Machinability:
M35 has poor machinability compared to conventional tool steels due to its high hardness and cobalt content.
Its machinability rating is about 40–50% of W1 (water-hardening tool steel).
Requires specialized cutting tools and reduced cutting speeds.
Condition for Machining:
Best machined in the annealed condition (~255 HB / 25–27 HRC).
In hardened condition (~64–66 HRC), machining is almost impossible; grinding is required.
Recommended Cutting Methods:
Carbide or ceramic cutting tools for machining in annealed state.
Coolant is essential to reduce tool wear and overheating.
Use rigid setups to avoid chatter and tool breakage.
Grinding:
After hardening, grinding is the preferred method for finishing.
Requires suitable grinding wheels (aluminum oxide or CBN).
Avoid overheating to prevent surface cracking.
Physical Properties
Property | Value |
---|---|
Density | ~8.12 g/cm³ |
Melting Point | 1,420 – 1,440 °C |
Modulus of Elasticity | ~210 GPa |
Thermal Conductivity | ~23 W/m·K |
Specific Heat Capacity | ~460 J/kg·K |
Electrical Resistivity | ~0.55 μΩ·m |
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C) | ~11.4 × 10⁻⁶ /K |
Chemical Properties
Property | Value |
---|---|
Corrosion Resistance | Moderate; not highly corrosion resistant, usually requires coating or protective treatment |
Wear Resistance | Excellent; maintains sharp cutting edges due to tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium content |
Toughness | High toughness, especially in annealed condition; resists chipping and cracking under impact |
Hardenability | Very good; achieves high hardness uniformly after proper heat treatment |
Thermal Fatigue Resistance | Outstanding; retains hardness and cutting ability at elevated temperatures |
Dimensional Stability | Good; maintains shape and size during heat treatment and service |
Chemical Composition
Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Tungsten (W) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Vanadium (V) | Cobalt (Co) | Silicon (Si) | Manganese (Mn) | Phosphorus (P) | Sulfur (S) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Percentage (%) | 0.85 – 0.95 | 3.75 – 4.50 | 5.50 – 6.50 | 4.50 – 5.50 | 1.70 – 2.10 | 4.50 – 5.00 | ≤ 0.45 | ≤ 0.40 | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.03 |