What Steel Is EM2?
EM2 high-speed steel is a general-purpose tool steel widely used in rolling mills and other fields. Its chemical composition includes carbon, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, and other elements, and the content of these elements has an important influence on its performance. EM2 is a traditional Swedish high-speed tool steel with high wear resistance, high toughness, and high compressive strength.
E stands for electro slag remelting, also represented by ESR. M2 is a high-speed steel in the United States, and the corresponding material in China is 65420CRNIMO
316L stainless steel is a molybdenum-containing stainless steel, and the molybdenum content of 316L stainless steel is slightly higher than that of 316 stainless steel. Due to the addition of molybdenum to the steel, the comprehensive performance of this steel is better than that of 310 and 304 stainless steel. Under high-temperature conditions, when the concentration of sulfuric acid is lower than 15% and higher than 85%, 316 stainless steel has a wide range of uses.
The previous M35 steel had a low carbon content (80%~90%), and quenching and tempering could not reach a high hardness of more than 67HRC; 501 steel (M2A) had many problems due to its high carbon content. Now both steels have restored their normal carbon content.
Compared with the original standard, the biggest highlight of the new standard GB/T9943 is the change in carbon. GB/T9943 has good hot hardness, still has high hardness and good cutting processability at 600℃, good grinding processability, low sensitivity to quenching overheating, and higher heat resistance than alloy tool steel.
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EM2 Steel Data Sheet
EM2 Steel Chemical Composition
The following table lists the typical chemical composition of EM2 tool steel:
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.85 – 0.95 |
| Tungsten (W) | 6.0 – 6.75 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 5.0 – 5.5 |
| Vanadium (V) | 1.75 – 2.2 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 3.75 – 4.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.45 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.45 |
The alloying combination provides an excellent balance between toughness, wear resistance, and hot hardness—making EM2 an ideal choice for high-speed cutting tools and punching dies.
EM2 Steel Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| AISI | M2 |
| DIN | 1.3343 |
| JIS | SKH51 |
| GB | W6Mo5Cr4V2 |
Although EM2 and M2 are similar, EM2 has slightly optimized vanadium and molybdenum ratios, offering better microstructure uniformity and grinding performance.
Looking for EM2 steel equivalent materials?
Huaxiao Metal also supplies M2, SKH51, and 1.3343 equivalents to meet different market requirements.
EM2 Steel Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Annealed) | ≤ 269 HB |
| Hardness (After Heat Treatment) | 62 – 66 HRC |
| Tensile Strength | ~3200 MPa |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 210 GPa |
| Density | 8.12 g/cm³ |
These properties make EM2 steel suitable for heavy-duty applications where both toughness and heat resistance are essential.
EM2 Steel Heat Treatment Process
Heat treatment is critical to achieving the desired hardness and microstructure.
Preheating: 850°C – 900°C
Austenitizing: 1200°C – 1230°C
Quenching: Oil or air cooling
Tempering: 540°C – 560°C (2–3 times recommended)
Proper heat treatment ensures high red hardness, extending the service life of EM2-made tools.
Applications of EM2 Tool Steel
EM2 steel is commonly used in:
Cutting tools (drills, milling cutters, saw blades)
Cold and hot work dies
Punches and reamers
Industrial knives
Plastic injection molds
High-speed forming tools
Huaxiao Metal maintains a large inventory of EM2 tool steel to meet global manufacturing needs.
What Is The Difference Between M2 High-Speed Steel And 6542 High-Speed Tool Steel?
Chemical Composition
| Element | M2 (W6Mo5Cr4V2) | 6542 (W6Mo5Cr4V2Co5) |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.78-0.88% | 0.78-0.88% |
| W | 5.5-6.75% | 5.5-6.75% |
| Mo | 4.5-5.5% | 4.5-5.5% |
| Cr | 3.75-4.5% | 3.75-4.5% |
| V | 1.75-2.2% | 1.75-2.2% |
| Co | – | 4.5-5.0% |
| Other | Si、Mn、S、P | Si、Mn、S、P |
Performance
Hardness:
M2 high-speed steel: High hardness, usually in the range of HRC 62-65, suitable for general cutting tools.
6542 High-Speed Tool Steel: Higher hardness, usually in the range of HRC 64-66, suitable for tools with higher strength and higher wear resistance.
Wear Resistance:
M2 High Speed Steel: Good wear resistance, suitable for most cutting applications.
6542 High Speed Tool Steel: Better wear resistance due to the addition of cobalt, suitable for higher strength and higher temperature cutting applications.
Thermal Stability:
M2 High Speed Steel: Can maintain its hardness at high temperatures, suitable for general high speed cutting.
6542 High Speed Tool Steel: Due to the addition of cobalt, it can also maintain its hardness at higher temperatures, suitable for higher temperature cutting applications.
Toughness:
M2 High Speed Steel: Good toughness, not easy to break.
6542 High Speed Tool Steel: The addition of cobalt increases toughness, making it more durable under high temperatures and high stress.
Applications
M2 High Speed Steel:
Mainly used to make general cutting tools such as drills, milling cutters, turning tools, and saw blades.
Suitable for general cutting conditions and medium-intensity processing.
6542 High Speed Tool Steel:
Used to manufacture high-strength, high-wear-resistant cutting tools such as heavy-duty drills, high-performance milling cutters, and high-efficiency turning tools.
Suitable for processing conditions with high temperature, high strength and high wear resistance.
Price
M2 High Speed Steel: Due to the relatively simple composition and manufacturing process, the cost is low.
6542 High Speed Tool Steel: Due to the addition of cobalt, the production cost is higher, so the price is more expensive.
Processing and Treatment
M2 High Speed Steel: Good processability, can be heat treated and quenched by conventional processing methods.
6542 High Speed Tool Steel: Due to the high hardness and cobalt content, processing and heat treatment are more difficult, and more advanced processing technology is required.
Huaxiao Metal — Trusted EM2 Steel Supplier
Huaxiao Metal is a leading EM2 steel supplier and manufacturer in China, offering:
Factory-direct pricing
Global shipping and export experience
Strict quality control with mill certificates
Custom cutting, forging, and machining services
Whether you need EM2 steel plate, coil, round bars, flats, or wire, Huaxiao Metal can provide competitive quotes and fast delivery.
FAQ – EM2 Steel Metal
What is EM2 steel used for?
EM2 steel is used for high-speed cutting tools, drills, dies, and precision molds requiring high hardness and red hardness.
Is EM2 steel the same as M2 steel?
EM2 steel is an improved variant of M2, with better toughness and grindability, ideal for demanding machining applications.
What is the hardness of EM2 steel?
After proper heat treatment, EM2 tool steel reaches 62–66 HRC hardness.
How much does EM2 steel cost?
EM2 steel price per kg varies depending on size and condition. Contact Huaxiao Metal for updated factory prices.
Where can I buy EM2 steel?
Huaxiao Metal is a professional EM2 steel supplier offering global shipping, competitive pricing, and customization services.
Conclusion
EM2 tool steel is a high-performance high-speed steel with exceptional hardness, toughness, and wear resistance, making it ideal for precision cutting and industrial tooling.
As a trusted EM2 steel manufacturer and supplier, Huaxiao Metal provides complete solutions from raw material sourcing to finished machining.
Looking for reliable EM2 steel suppliers?
Contact Huaxiao Metal today to get the latest EM2 steel price, datasheet, and stock availability.
