Grade M42

Grade M42 is a premium cobalt-based high-speed steel (HSS) designed for extreme high-speed cutting and precision machining applications. With approximately 8% cobalt content, M42 delivers superior hot hardness, wear resistance, and strength compared to conventional HSS grades like M2 and M35.

This steel is engineered to retain its hardness and cutting edge even at elevated temperatures up to 700°C, making it ideal for machining tough and high-strength materials such as stainless steels and alloy steels. It ensures consistent performance in high-speed operations without deformation or loss of sharpness.

Tool Steel

M42 combines excellent wear resistance with high toughness, allowing it to withstand heavy cutting loads, abrasive conditions, and interrupted machining operations. Its carbide-rich microstructure enhances tool life and cutting efficiency.

Due to its high performance and durability, M42 is widely used in tool-making, aerospace, automotive, and heavy engineering industries for precision cutting tools and high-speed machining operations.

Key Features

  • High cobalt content (~8%) for superior performance
  • Exceptional hot hardness up to 700°C
  • Very high wear and abrasion resistance
  • Strong resistance to deformation and softening
  • High toughness for heavy-duty applications
  • Long tool life in high-speed cutting operations

Key Properties

  • Hardness after heat treatment: 64 – 66 HRC
  • Maintains cutting performance at high temperatures
  • Excellent resistance to wear and edge breakdown
  • High strength and durability under load
  • Good machinability in annealed condition
  • Ideal for machining hard and alloy steels

Common Applications

  • High-performance twist drills, taps, and reamers
  • End mills, broaches, and milling cutters
  • Gear cutting tools and precision cutting tools
  • Cutting tools for stainless and high-strength steels
  • Aerospace and automotive machining tools
  • Heavy-duty industrial cutting applications

PUROHIT STEEL is a trusted name in the tool steel industry, with humble beginnings dating back to 1965 and over three decades of expertise in delivering high-quality materials and solutions. Today, the group operates multiple well-established units, maintaining a vast inventory ranging from hot work and cold work tool steels to specialized materials. Known for reliability and strong technical support, PUROHIT STEEL caters to the diverse requirements of small, medium, and large-scale industries. The company specializes in manufacturing moulds and tooling components using premium grades such as Grade M42 which is ideal for applications including injection moulds (medium to large size), blow moulds, low-pressure die-casting dies, automotive moulds, tooling plates, extrusion dies, machine parts, shafts, and general tooling components. With a focus on quality, performance, and precision, PUROHIT STEEL continues to deliver durable and efficient tooling solutions.