M42 HIGH-SPEED STEEL




  

HEAT TREATMENT
  

  • Soft-annealing 850°C – 900°C / 1560°F – 1650°F, slow cooling 10°C / 18°F/h to 700°C / 1290°F, hardness max 270 Brinell.
     
  • Stress relieving 600°C  – 700°C / 1120°F – 1290°F, approx. 2 hours at temperature, slow cooling to 500°C / 930°F.
     
  • Hardening with preheating in two steps 450°C – 500°C / 840°F – 930°F, 
    850°C – 900°C / 1560°F – 1650°F and austenitizing at 
    1050°C – 1190°C / 1920°F – 2175°F.  Quenching to about 550°C / 1022°F then cool in air to hand warm
     
  • Tempering at 560°C / 1040°F or higher 3 times for at least 1 hour at full temperature is recommended.