M42 vs X40CrMoV5-1: 36% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
M42 vs X40CrMoV5-1
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
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.
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.
| M42 | X40CrMoV5-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.3247 | 1.2344 |
| Category | Tool Steel | Tool Steel |
| Standard | EN ISO 4957 | EN ISO 4957 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | M42 | X40CrMoV5-1 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1.05–1.15% | 0.37–0.43% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–0.65% | 0.8–1.2% | No overlap |
| Mn | 0–0.4% | 0.2–0.5% | Partial |
| P | 0–0.03% | 0–0.03% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | M42 | X40CrMoV5-1 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardness_hrc | 68–70 | 50–56 | HRC |
| e_modulus | ≥ 210 | ≥ 210 | GPa |
| density | ≥ 7.98 | ≥ 7.8 | g/cm3 |
Compatibility Assessment
M42 and X40CrMoV5-1 have significantly different compositions (36% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is M42 the same as X40CrMoV5-1?
M42 and X40CrMoV5-1 have a 36% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace M42 with X40CrMoV5-1?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (36% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between M42 and X40CrMoV5-1?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Si, Mn, Cr. M42 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.
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.