Tool Steel M42

Annealing Procedure

Heat thoroughly at 1600 F, followed by slow furnace cooling.

Applications

Typically employed to machine the superalloys and exotic, M42 is employed in drills, hobs, taps, end mills, milling cutters, form and gear cutters, broaches and chasers.

Forgeability

Preheat slowly to 1600 F and soak, then heat rapidly to 2000 F. Do not work at temperatures below 1800 F. Cool forgings slowly.

Formability

See forging.

Hardening Procedure

Preheat to 1600 F and soak completely, then heat directly to 2200 F. Quenching should be done in a salt media at 1000 F followed by air cooling. Tempering should be done in salt baths or in vacuum furnaces.

Heat Treatability

See annealing, tempering and hardening.

Machinability

Rated at 45% of a 1% carbon steel, the alloy, in its annealed condition, can be turned, drilled, tapped, milled, broached and threaded.

Principle Design Features

Capable of very high hardness values, this is a moly type high speed tool steel. The alloy has excellent hot hardness and wear resistance and is commonly employed to machine difficult to machine materials including the superalloys.

Tempering Procedure

Triple temper at 1000 - 1100 F, cooling completely between cycle for best results.