M2 Powder

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:

Элемент	Весовые %	Цель
Вольфрам	6.0 – 6.8	Твердость, износостойкость
Молибден	4.8 – 5.5	Toughness, strength
Хром	3.8 – 4.5	Hardening, wear resistance
Ванадий	1.9 – 2.2	Hardening, wear resistance
Углерода	0.78 – 0.88	Hardening
Марганец	0.15 – 0.45	Hardening
Кремний	0.15 – 0.45	Deoxidizer

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

Properties of M2 Powder

Key properties of M2 powder include:

Имущество	Описание
Твердость	64 – 66 HRC when heat treated
Износостойкость	Excellent abrasion and erosion resistance
Жесткость	Higher than tungsten carbide grades
Прочность на сжатие	Up to 300 ksi
Термостойкость	Can be used up to 600¡«C
Коррозионная стойкость	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:

Параметр	Typical value	Цель
Layer height	20-50 Ãœm	Resolution versus build speed
Laser power	250-500 W	Sufficient melting without evaporation
Scan speed	400-1200 mm/s	Density versus production rate
Hatch spacing	80-120 Ã×m	Mechanical properties
Support structure	Минимум	Easy removal
Hot isostatic pressing	1160¡«C, 100 MPa, 3 hrs	Eliminate porosity

Parameters tailored for density, microstructure, build rate and post-processing requirements.

Applications of 3D Printed M2 Tooling

AM fabricated M2 components are used for:

Промышленность	Tooling applications
Автомобильный	Stamping dies, forming tools, fixtures
Аэрокосмическая отрасль	Jigs, fixtures, trim tools
Appliances	Punches, blanking dies, bending dies
Товары народного потребления	Injection molds, stamping dies
Медицинский	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:

Параметр	Спецификация
Диапазон размеров частиц	15-45 Ã×m typical
Форма частиц	Spherical morphology
Кажущаяся плотность	> 4 g/cc
Плотность при утрамбовке	> 6 g/cc
Скорость потока холла	> 23 sec for 50 g
Чистота	>99.9%
Содержание кислорода	<300 ppm

Custom size distributions and controlled moisture levels available.

Suppliers of M2 Powder

Reputable M2 powder suppliers include:

Поставщик	Местоположение
Sandvik Osprey	Соединённое Королевство
Carpenter Additive	США
Эрасталь	Швеция
Höganäs	Швеция
Технология LPW	Соединённое Королевство

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
• Ground equipment to dissipate static charges
• Avoid dust accumulation through extraction systems
• Follow applicable safety precautions

Proper techniques ensure optimal powder condition.

Inspection and Testing of M2 Powder

Quality testing methods include:

Метод	Parameters Tested
Гранулометрический анализ	Распределение размера частиц
Сканирующая электронная микроскопия	Particle morphology
EDX	Chemistry and composition
XRD	Phases present
Pycnometry	Плотность
Скорость потока холла	Текучесть порошка

Testing per ASTM standards verifies powder quality and batch consistency.

Comparing M2 to Alternative Tool Steel Powders

M2 compares to other tool steel alloys as:

Сплав	Износостойкость	Жесткость	Цена	Ease of Processing
M2	Отличный	Хорошо	Средний	Справедливо
H13	Хорошо	Отличный	Низкий	Отличный
S7	Отличный	Справедливо	Высок	Сложно
420 stainless	Бедный	Отличный	Низкий	Отличный

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

Pros and Cons of M2 Powder for Metal AM

Преимущества	Минусы
Отлично твердость и износостойкость	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.