HS6-5-2 vs M42: 42% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
HS6-5-2 vs M42
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
HS6-5-2
1.3343
The most widely used high-speed steel worldwide, known as AISI M2. Contains 6% W, 5% Mo and 2% V providing excellent red hardness (retains cutting ability at 600°C+), high wear resistance and good toughness. Hardened to 62–65 HRC. Standard material for twist drills, milling cutters, taps, reamers, broaches, saw blades, cold forming tools and punches. PM (powder metallurgy) variants available for improved toughness and grindability.
M42
1.3247
Cobalt super high speed steel — 8% Co for maximum hot hardness (HRC 69 at 550°C). THE HSS for machining superalloys, titanium, and pre-hardened steels where M2 burns out. Mo-series (not W-series like T15). Reaches HRC 68-70 after hardening — among the hardest HSS grades. Also known as HS2-9-1-8 (EN) or SKH59 (JIS). Used for drills, end mills, taps, broaches, and milling cutters for difficult-to-machine materials.
| HS6-5-2 | M42 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.3343 | 1.3247 |
| Category | Tool Steel | Tool Steel |
| Standard | EN ISO 4957 | EN ISO 4957 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | HS6-5-2 | M42 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.8–0.88% | 1.05–1.15% | No overlap |
| Si | ≤ 0.45% | 0–0.65% | OK |
| Mn | ≤ 0.4% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| P | ≤ 0.03% | 0–0.03% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | HS6-5-2 | M42 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness HB | ≤ 255 | — | HB |
| Hardness HRC | 62–65 | — | HRC |
| Density | 8.16 | — | g/cm³ |
Compatibility Assessment
HS6-5-2 and M42 have significantly different compositions (42% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HS6-5-2 the same as M42?
HS6-5-2 and M42 have a 42% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace HS6-5-2 with M42?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (42% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between HS6-5-2 and M42?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Cr, Mo, V. HS6-5-2 is a Tool Steel grade, while M42 is a Tool Steel grade.
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.