Purohit Steel is a leading Grade M2 / 1.3343 Stockist and Exporter in India, supplying premium tungsten-molybdenum high speed steel (AISI M2 / DIN 1.3343 / JIS SKH51) with verified chemical composition, mechanical properties and full traceability for cutting tool manufacturers and precision engineering workshops.
As an ISO-certified company established in 1965, we maintain ready stock of Grade M2 in round bar, flat bar and block form, with in-house bandsaw cutting, machining, grinding and EDM support for fast turnaround across India and export markets.
Table of Contents
- 1. What is Grade M2 / 1.3343 Steel
- 2. Why Purohit Steel for M2
- 3. Comparison: M2 vs M35 vs M42
- 4. Chemical Composition
- 5. Mechanical Properties
- 6. Physical & Thermal Properties
- 7. Equivalent International Grades
- 8. Heat Treatment Guidelines
- 9. Available Forms & Sizes
- 10. Machining & Selection Notes
- 11. Applications & Uses
- 12. Industries We Serve
- 13. Related Products
- 14. Authorized Stockist Brands
- 15. Cities We Supply in India
- 16. Our Services
- 17. Frequently Asked Questions
- 18. About Purohit Steel
- Our Certifications
- Countries We Export Worldwide
- Export Packaging & Shipping
- Quality Inspection & Testing
- Latest Price List
- MOQ & Payment Terms
- People Also Search For
What is Grade M2 / 1.3343 Steel?
Grade M2 (DIN Werkstoffnummer 1.3343, JIS SKH51) is a molybdenum-tungsten high speed steel (HSS), chemically designated W6Mo5Cr4V2. It is the most widely used general- purpose high speed steel in the world, offering a well-balanced combination of hardness, wear resistance, toughness and red-hardness (the ability to retain cutting hardness at elevated temperature).
M2 is normally supplied in the annealed condition (max. 255 HB) for ease of machining, then hardened and tempered by the tool maker to develop cutting properties. In the hardened & tempered condition it typically reaches 62-65 HRC and retains useful cutting hardness at working temperatures up to approximately 600°C, allowing tools to run at higher cutting speeds than plain carbon or low-alloy tool steels without rapid edge softening.
M2 contains no cobalt, giving it excellent toughness relative to the cobalt-alloyed M35 and M42 grades, at a lower cost — making it the standard choice for general-purpose drills, mills, taps and cutting tools.
Note: for tougher machining conditions on stainless or high-strength alloys where higher red-hardness is needed, see the comparison table below against cobalt-bearing M35 and M42.
Why Purohit Steel for Grade M2
- Ready Stock: Round bar, flat bar and block sizes held in inventory for immediate dispatch
- ISO-Certified Quality: Documented quality management since 1965
- Authorized Stockist: Sourced through globally reputed manufacturers, including NLMK Verona and SeAH CSS
- Value-Added Machining: In-house bandsaw cutting, precision machining, grinding, drilling, gun drilling, EDM and wire-cut
- Technical Support: Assistance with grade selection, heat treatment guidance and equivalence mapping
- Pan-India & Export Supply: Warehousing in Vasai with a sales outlet in Mumbai, serving customers across India and international markets
- Export-Ready Packaging: Palletised, moisture-protected packing suitable for both domestic transport and export shipment
Comparison: M2 vs M35 vs M42
M2, M35 and M42 form a natural upgrade path in high speed steel, with cobalt content increasing hardness, red-hardness and cutting speed capability at each step, at a higher cost and somewhat reduced toughness. The table below compares all three grades Purohit Steel stocks.
| Factor | M2 / 1.3343 | M35 / 1.3243 | M42 / 1.3247 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobalt content | None | ~5% | ~8% |
| Hardness (hardened & tempered) | 62-65 HRC | 64-66 HRC | 66-70 HRC |
| Red-hardness (approx. working temp.) | Up to ~600°C | Up to ~620°C | Up to ~650°C |
| Toughness | Highest of the three | Good | Lower (more brittle at highest hardness) |
| Best suited for | General-purpose drills, mills, taps, everyday cutting tools | Machining stainless & alloy steels, heavier interrupted cuts | Premium high-temperature finishing tools for superalloys, hardened & stainless steel |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Medium | Highest |
Grade M2 Chemical Composition
Composition as per DIN EN ISO 4957 / ASTM A600 M2 (typical mill range, weight %):
| Element | Symbol | Composition (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon | C | 0.80 - 0.90 |
| Silicon | Si | 0.20 - 0.45 |
| Manganese | Mn | 0.15 - 0.40 |
| Chromium | Cr | 3.75 - 4.50 |
| Molybdenum | Mo | 4.50 - 5.50 |
| Vanadium | V | 1.75 - 2.20 |
| Tungsten | W | 5.50 - 6.75 |
| Phosphorus | P | 0.030 max |
| Sulphur | S | 0.030 max |
| Iron | Fe | Balance |
Mechanical Properties of Grade M2
Typical values across the common supply and heat-treated conditions:
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness (annealed, supply condition) | Max. 255 HB |
| Hardness (hardened & tempered) | 62 - 65 HRC |
| Red-hardness | Retains cutting hardness up to approx. 600°C |
| Modulus of Elasticity (E) | ~190 - 210 GPa |
| Impact Toughness (Izod, unnotched) | ~65 - 70 J |
Values are typical and depend on final hardening/tempering parameters chosen by the tool maker. Mill test certificates (EN 10204 2.2 / 3.1) are available on request.
Physical & Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ~8.15 g/cm³ |
| Thermal Conductivity (room temp.) | ~24 W/(m·K) |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20-200°C) | ~11 - 12 × 10-6 /K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | ~460 J/(kg·K) |
Equivalent International Grades
| Country / Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| USA (AISI / SAE, ASTM A600) | M2 |
| Germany (Werkstoffnummer, DIN EN ISO 4957) | 1.3343 (W6Mo5Cr4V2) |
| Japan (JIS G4403) | SKH51 |
| China (GB/T) | W6Mo5Cr4V2 |
| USA (UNS) | T11302 |
M2 is cobalt-free — for higher red-hardness and hot cutting performance, see M35 and M42 in the comparison table above.
Heat Treatment Guidelines
| Process | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Supply condition | Annealed, max. 255 HB — machinable with standard tooling |
| Preheating | 800-850°C, hold to equalise temperature |
| Hardening (austenitizing) | 1190-1230°C, short soak (typically 2-5 minutes for thin sections), quench in oil, salt bath (540-600°C) or vacuum/air depending on furnace type |
| Tempering | Double or triple temper at 540-570°C, 2 hours per cycle, air cool between tempers — achieves 62-65 HRC via secondary hardening |
| Stress relieving (after heavy machining, pre-hardening) | 650-700°C, hold, furnace or air cool |
Available Forms & Sizes
- Round Bars
- Flat Bars
- Blocks
- Custom sizes cut to drawing via in-house bandsaw cutting
Material is machined, ground, drilled and finished in-house through our precision machining, grinding, drilling, gun drilling, EDM and wire-cut facilities, so tooling blanks can be supplied close to finished dimensions.
Machining & Selection Notes
- Machining: M2 machines well in the annealed condition (max. 255 HB); hardening and tempering are carried out after final shaping of the tool.
- Double/triple tempering: M2 must be double tempered (M35/M42 often triple tempered) to transform retained austenite and reach full service hardness; skipping this step leaves untempered martensite and reduced toughness.
- Grinding: Use adequate coolant when grinding hardened M2 to avoid grinding burn, which can locally soften the cutting edge.
- Grade selection: Choose M2 for general-purpose tools and the best cost/toughness balance; step up to M35 for stainless/alloy steel machining, or M42 for the highest red-hardness on premium finishing tools — see the comparison table above.
Applications of Grade M2 Steel
M2 is the workhorse high speed steel across the cutting tool industry, chosen for its balance of hardness, toughness and cost for general-purpose machining.
- Twist drills and reamers
- Milling cutters and end mills
- Broaches and gear-cutting hobs
- Taps, dies and threading tools
- Punches and blanking tools
- Lathe and planer cutting tools
- Mould ejector pins, guide bushes and wear inserts
- General precision machining tools
M2 for General-Purpose Cutting Tools
M2 remains the default choice for the majority of drills, mills and taps because of its reliable combination of edge retention, toughness and value, before stepping up to cobalt grades for harder work materials.
Mould & Die Components
In mould and die making, M2 is used for wear-critical components such as ejector pins, guide pillars and inserts, where hardness and dimensional stability under repeated cycling are important.
Industries We Serve
- Cutting tool manufacturing
- Automotive machining
- Mould & die making
- General metalworking & engineering
- Precision engineering & machine tools
- Aerospace component machining
Authorized Stockist
Grade M2 Supply Locations Across India
We supply Grade M2 / 1.3343 steel across major industrial cities including Mumbai, Pune, Khopoli, Nashik, Aurangabad, Navi Mumbai, Palghar, Umbergaon, Vapi, Valsad, Daman, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gurgaon, Manesar and Sonipat — as well as to export markets.
Our Steel Products
Our Services
Frequently Asked Questions
About Purohit Steel
Purohit Steel was established in 1965 by Shree Bherumalji Rajpurohit, a visionary in metallurgy. Over the decades, we have built a strong reputation as a trusted stockist and exporter of tool steel, plastic mould steel and engineering steel products across India.
As an ISO-certified company, we source premium materials from globally reputed manufacturers and operate a modern warehousing facility in Vasai along with a sales outlet in Mumbai, enabling efficient storage, fast processing and timely delivery across India and export markets.
With decades of relationships with tool & die manufacturers and a customer-focused approach, Purohit Steel continues to deliver reliable, technically supported steel solutions for the cutting tool and mould-making industry.
Read more about Purohit Steel, view our certifications, or get in touch with our technical sales team.
Our Certifications
Purohit Steel operates as an ISO-certified company, backed by documented quality management, safety and compliance certifications that support reliable supply to domestic and export customers.
View all certificates in detail on our Certifications page.
Countries We Export Worldwide
Beyond India, Purohit Steel exports tool & mould steel grades to customers across the following countries and regions:
| Export Destinations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | Saudi Arabia | Oman | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Nepal |
| Vietnam | Thailand | Indonesia | Kenya | Nigeria | South Africa |
For export enquiries and destination-specific documentation, please contact our sales team.
Export Packaging & Shipping
Bars, flats and blocks are packed to withstand handling, transit and marine shipment, whether for domestic dispatch or export orders.
- Palletised and strapped packing for round bars, flat bars and blocks
- Moisture-protected wrapping to prevent surface corrosion in transit
- Seaworthy export packing with clear shipping marks and material identification
- Documentation support including packing lists, invoices and mill test certificates for customs clearance
- Shipment by road, rail or sea freight as per order requirement and destination
Quality Inspection & Testing
Every batch held in our stock is checked through documented inspection procedures before dispatch, so mould makers and OEMs receive material with verified, traceable quality.
- Chemical composition verification against mill certificates
- Hardness testing (Brinell / Rockwell) on received stock
- Dimensional inspection as per standard bar and block tolerances
- Visual and surface defect inspection
- EN 10204 2.2 / 3.1 mill test certificates provided on request
- Third-party inspection coordination available for export orders
Full material traceability is maintained from incoming stock through to dispatch for every order.
Latest Price List
Pricing depends on section size, quantity, form (round bar / flat bar / block) and current raw material rates. Indicative guidance is below — contact us for a firm, up-to-date quotation.
| Form | Typical Price Basis |
|---|---|
| Round Bar | Per Kg, based on diameter & length — contact for latest rate |
| Flat Bar / Plate | Per Kg, based on thickness & size — contact for latest rate |
| Block (cut to size) | Per Kg / Per Piece, based on drawing — contact for latest rate |
Prices are subject to change with raw material and freight costs. Share your required size and quantity via the quotation form or WhatsApp for the latest price.
MOQ & Payment Terms
Minimum Order Quantity: Flexible MOQ depending on size and form — from small trial quantities for tooling houses up to bulk orders for OEMs, subject to confirmation at enquiry stage.
Payment Terms: Advance payment / part-advance with balance before dispatch for domestic orders; T/T (bank transfer) or Letter of Credit (LC) for export orders, depending on order value and destination.