1.3343 High Speed Steel (AISI M2) | Nifty Alloys LLC – Trusted Supplier in UAE

1.3343 High Speed Steel, widely known by its AISI designation M2, stands as the most common and versatile grade in the high-speed steel family. Its prominence in demanding industrial applications is due to a superior combination of properties: an excellent balance of toughness, high-temperature hardness, and exceptional wear resistance. For engineers and procurement specialists, specifying 1.3343 (M2) ensures reliable performance in a vast range of cutting and forming operations. 

This guide provides a complete technical overview of 1.3343 High Speed Steel, covering its composition, key properties, applications, and heat treatment protocols. As a leading supplier of specialty metals, Nifty Alloys LLC provides this resource to help you make informed material selection decisions that enhance the efficiency and reliability of your operations. 

What is 1.3343 High Speed Steel (M2)? 

1.3343 High Speed Steel is a tungsten-molybdenum based tool steel, also referred to by its DIN designation 1.3343 or Werkstoff Number, and its common industry name, M2. It is classified as HS 6-5-2 in the DIN standard, which reflects its approximate alloy content of 6% Tungsten (W), 5% Molybdenum (Mo), and 2% Vanadium (V). This precise alloy combination gives M2 tool steel its signature characteristics, making it the industry standard for general-purpose high-speed steel applications.

Key Properties of 1.3343 / M2 Tool Steel 

The combination of alloying elements gives 1.3343 HSS a well-rounded set of properties that makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of high-performance tooling applications. Understanding these attributes is crucial for specifying the right material for your project. 

Wear Resistance 

• 1.3343 exhibits excellent wear resistance due to the high volume of hard tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium carbides dispersed within its martensitic matrix. This property ensures a long service life for cutting tools, punches, and dies by resisting abrasive wear during machining and forming operations. 

Toughness 

• Compared to more highly alloyed high-speed steels with greater vanadium content (like T15 or M4), M2 tool steel offers superior toughness. This makes it an ideal choice for applications involving interrupted cuts or where tools are subjected to mechanical shock and vibration, reducing the risk of chipping or catastrophic failure. 

Red Hardness (Hot Hardness) 

• One of the defining characteristics of high-speed steels is red hardness, which is the ability to retain high hardness and strength at the elevated temperatures generated at the tool-workpiece interface. 1.3343 maintains its cutting edge effectively at temperatures up to 600°C (1112°F), enabling higher cutting speeds and feeds compared to standard tool steels. 

Machinability 

• In its annealed (softened) condition, 1.3343 steel possesses good machinability, allowing for the efficient fabrication of complex tool geometries. Its grindability after hardening is also considered very good for a high-alloy tool steel, which is a critical factor in producing sharp, precise cutting edges.