M2 Polvo

M2 is a high-speed steel powder characterized by its high hardness and wear resistance along with good toughness and compressive strength. It is widely used in metal additive manufacturing to produce durable tooling for cutting, forming and stamping applications.

Composition of M2 Powder

The composition of M2 high-speed steel powder is:

Elemento	Porcentaje de peso	Propósito
Tungsteno	6.0 – 6.8	Dureza, resistencia al desgaste
Molibdeno	4.8 – 5.5	Toughness, strength
Cromo	3.8 – 4.5	Hardening, wear resistance
Vanadio	1.9 – 2.2	Hardening, wear resistance
Carbono	0.78 – 0.88	Hardening
Manganeso	0.15 – 0.45	Hardening
Silicio	0.15 – 0.45	Desoxidante

The high tungsten, molybdenum and chromium content impart excellent hardness and wear resistance.

Properties of M2 Powder

Key properties of M2 powder include:

Propiedad	Descripción
Dureza	64 – 66 HRC when heat treated
Resistencia al desgaste	Excellent abrasion and erosion resistance
Dureza	Higher than tungsten carbide grades
Resistencia a la compresión	Up to 300 ksi
Resistencia al calor	Can be used up to 600¡«C
Resistencia a la corrosión	Better than plain carbon steels

The properties make M2 suitable for durable cutting, stamping and forming tooling.

AM Process Parameters for M2 Powder

Typical parameters for printing M2 powder include:

Parámetro	Valor típico	Propósito
Altura de la capa	20-50 µm	Resolución frente a velocidad de construcción
Potencia del láser	250-500 W	Fundición suficiente sin evaporación
Velocidad de exploración	400-1200 mm/s	Densidad frente a tasa de producción
Distancia entre escotillas	80-120 Ã×m	Propiedades mecánicas
Support structure	Mínimo	Easy removal
Prensado isostático en caliente	1160¡«C, 100 MPa, 3 hrs	Eliminar la porosidad

Parámetros adaptados a los requisitos de densidad, microestructura, velocidad de fabricación y posprocesamiento.

Applications of 3D Printed M2 Tooling

AM fabricated M2 components are used for:

Industria	Tooling applications
Automovilístico	Stamping dies, forming tools, fixtures
Aeroespacial	Jigs, fixtures, trim tools
Appliances	Punches, blanking dies, bending dies
Bienes de consumo	Injection molds, stamping dies
Médico	Cutting tools, rasps, drill guides

Benefits over traditionally processed M2 tooling include complexity, lead time and cost reduction.

Specifications of M2 Powder for AM

M2 powder must meet strict specifications:

Parámetro	Especificación
Rango de tamaño de partícula	15-45 Ã×m típico
Forma de las partículas	Morfología esférica
Densidad aparente	> 4 g/cc
Densidad de golpecito	> 6 g/cc
Caudal de pasillo	> 23 seg para 50 g
Pureza	>99,9%
Contenido de Oxígeno	<300 ppm

Distribuciones de tamaño personalizadas y niveles de humedad controlados disponibles.

Suppliers of M2 Powder

Reputable M2 powder suppliers include:

Proveedor	Ubicación
Sandvik Osprey	Reino Unido
Carpenter Additive	EE. UU.
Erasteel	Suecia
Hoganas	Suecia
Tecnología LPW	Reino Unido

Prices range from $50/kg to $120/kg based on quality and order volume.

Handling and Storage of M2 Powder

As a reactive material, careful M2 powder handling is essential:

• Store sealed containers away from moisture, sparks, ignition sources
• Use inert gas padding during transfer and storage
• Conecte a tierra los equipos para disipar las cargas estáticas
• Avoid dust accumulation through extraction systems
• Follow applicable safety precautions

Las técnicas adecuadas garantizan un estado óptimo del polvo.

Inspection and Testing of M2 Powder

Los métodos de comprobación de la calidad incluyen:

Método	Parámetros probados
Análisis granulométrico	Distribución de granulometría
Imágenes SEM	Morfología de las partículas
EDX	Química y composición
DRX	Fases presentes
Picnometría	Densidad
Caudal de pasillo	Capacidad de flujo del polvo

Las pruebas según las normas ASTM verifican la calidad del polvo y la consistencia de los lotes.

Comparing M2 to Alternative Tool Steel Powders

M2 compares to other tool steel alloys as:

Aleación	Resistencia al desgaste	Dureza	Coste	Ease of Processing
M2	Excelente	Bien	Medio	Justa
H13	Bien	Excelente	Bajo	Excelente
S7	Excelente	Justa	Alto	Difícil
420 stainless	Pobre	Excelente	Bajo	Excelente

With its balanced properties, M2 supersedes alternatives for many wear-resistant tooling applications.

Pros and Cons of M2 Powder for Metal AM

Puntos a favor	Contras
Excelente dureza y resistencia al desgaste	Lower toughness than cold work tool steels
Good heat resistance and thermal stability	Required post-processing like HIP and heat treatment
Established credentials for metal AM	Controlled atmosphere storage required
Cost advantage over exotic tool steels	Difficult to machine after printing
Properties match conventional M2	Limited corrosion resistance

M2 enables high wear resistance additive tooling, though not suitable for highly corrosive environments.

Frequently Asked Questions about M2 Powder

Q: What particle size range works best for printing M2 powder?

A: A typical range is 15-45 microns. It provides optimal powder flowability combined with high resolution and dense parts.

Q: What post-processing methods are used for M2 AM parts?

A: Hot isostatic pressing, heat treatment, surface grinding/EDM, and shot peening are typically used to eliminate voids, harden, and finish parts.

Q: Which metal 3D printing process is ideal for M2 alloy?

A: M2 can be effectively printed using selective laser melting (SLM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) and electron beam melting (EBM) processes.

Q: What accuracy and surface finish can be expected for M2 printed parts?

A: Post-processed M2 components can achieve dimensional tolerances and surface finish comparable to CNC machined M2 tooling.

Q: What industries use additively manufactured M2 tooling components?

A: Automotive, aerospace, medical, consumer goods, appliances, and industrial sectors benefit from 3D printed M2 tooling.

Q: What is the key difference between M2 and M4 grades of high speed steel?

A: M4 has slightly lower vanadium and molybdenum content leading to a better combination of wear resistance and toughness compared to M2.

Q: Does M2 require support structures when 3D printing?

A: Minimal supports are recommended on overhangs and bridges to prevent deformation and allow easy removal after printing.

Q: What density can be expected with optimized M2 3D printed parts?

A: Density above 99% is achievable for M2 using ideal parameters tailored specifically for this alloy.

Q: What defects can occur when printing M2 powder?

A: Potential defects are cracking, distortion, porosity, incomplete fusion, and surface roughness. Most can be prevented through optimized parameters.

Q: Is HIP required for all M2 AM tooling components?

A: While highly recommended, HIP may not be absolutely necessary for non-critical tooling applications. Heat treatment alone may suffice.