40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 vs M2 / HS6-5-2: 9% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 vs M2 / HS6-5-2
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
40CrMnNiMo8-6-4
1.2738
Pre-hardened mould steel with nickel addition for uniform hardness through large cross-sections. Delivered at 280-325 HB. The Ni addition (0.90-1.20%) provides better through-hardening than 1.2311/1.2312, making it suitable for large moulds with sections >400mm. Used for large injection moulds for automotive, household appliance, and furniture industry. The standard choice for large, complex mould frames. Similar to AISI P20+Ni.
M2 / HS6-5-2
1.3343
The most widely used high-speed steel worldwide. W-Mo-Cr-V composition gives excellent red hardness (cuts at temperatures up to 600°C). Used for twist drills, end mills, taps, reamers, bandsaw blades, and general-purpose cutting tools. The benchmark HSS grade.
| 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 | M2 / HS6-5-2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.2738 | 1.3343 |
| Category | Tool Steel | Tool Steel |
| Standard | EN ISO 4957 | EN ISO 4957 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 | M2 / HS6-5-2 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.35–0.45% | 0.8–0.88% | No overlap |
| Si | 0.2–0.4% | 0–0.45% | OK |
| Mn | 1.3–1.6% | 0–0.4% | No overlap |
| P | ≤ 0.03% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 | M2 / HS6-5-2 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardness_hb | 280–325 | ≤ 248 | HB |
| tensile_strength | 900–1100 | — | MPa |
| density | ≥ 7.83 | ≥ 8.16 | g/cm3 |
Compatibility Assessment
40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 and M2 / HS6-5-2 have significantly different compositions (9% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 the same as M2 / HS6-5-2?
40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 and M2 / HS6-5-2 have a 9% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 with M2 / HS6-5-2?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (9% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 and M2 / HS6-5-2?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn, Cr, Mo. 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 is a Tool Steel grade, while M2 / HS6-5-2 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.