M2 / HS6-5-2 vs X40CrMoV5-1: 7% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
M2 / HS6-5-2 vs X40CrMoV5-1
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
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.
X40CrMoV5-1
1.2344
THE hot work tool steel — AISI H13 / JIS SKD61. 5% Cr + Mo + V for outstanding thermal fatigue resistance, red hardness above 40 HRC at 600°C, and excellent toughness. Air-hardening — uniform hardness in large sections with minimal distortion. Used for aluminum/zinc die casting dies, extrusion dies, forging dies, hot shear blades, and plastic molds. ESR grade available for critical applications.
| M2 / HS6-5-2 | X40CrMoV5-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.3343 | 1.2344 |
| Category | Tool Steel | Tool Steel |
| Standard | EN ISO 4957 | EN ISO 4957 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | M2 / HS6-5-2 | X40CrMoV5-1 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.8–0.88% | 0.37–0.43% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–0.45% | 0.8–1.2% | No overlap |
| Mn | 0–0.4% | 0.2–0.5% | Partial |
| P | — | 0–0.03% | — |
Mechanical properties
| Property | M2 / HS6-5-2 | X40CrMoV5-1 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardness_hrc | 63–66 | 50–56 | HRC |
| hardness_hb | ≤ 248 | ≤ 235 | HB |
| e_modulus | ≥ 210 | ≥ 210 | GPa |
Compatibility Assessment
M2 / HS6-5-2 and X40CrMoV5-1 have significantly different compositions (7% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is M2 / HS6-5-2 the same as X40CrMoV5-1?
M2 / HS6-5-2 and X40CrMoV5-1 have a 7% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace M2 / HS6-5-2 with X40CrMoV5-1?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (7% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between M2 / HS6-5-2 and X40CrMoV5-1?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Si, Mn, Cr. M2 / HS6-5-2 is a Tool Steel grade, while X40CrMoV5-1 is a Tool Steel grade.
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
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