CNC Cylindrical Grinding M42 High Speed Steel is part of VT machining's grade-specific capability. M42 High Speed Steel is red-hard and highly wear-resistant, and we combine controlled grinding with material-aware setup to produce parts that meet your specification.
CNC Cylindrical Grinding Capability for M42 High Speed Steel
- High red-hardness
- Excellent wear resistance
- Hardenable to 62–67 HRC
- Used for cutting tools
M42 High Speed Steel Material Data
| Density | 14.5 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 2000–3500 (TRS) MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | — |
| Hardness | 88–93 HRA / 1300–1800 HV |
| Melting point | 2870 (WC) °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 70–100 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 5.0 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 10% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | grind / EDM only |
| Grades we run | YG6, YG8, YG15 (K10–K30), D2, H13, M2, SKD11 |
Published typical values for WC-Co (YG8 / K20). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Everything is done by grinding, wire EDM or sinker EDM. Design in a small corner radius wherever possible — a true sharp internal corner doubles the EDM time.
Machining M42 High Speed Steel with CNC Cylindrical Grinding
When grinding M42 High Speed Steel, machinability is difficult; rigid setups and carbide tooling required. Our process plan reflects this so the finished part holds its tolerances without distortion or poor finish.
Documented parameters for M42 High Speed Steel mean predictable cycle times and stable, repeatable results.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Cylindrical Grinding M42 High Speed Steel
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Size (OD, ID, thickness) | ±0.005 mm | ±0.002 mm |
| Flatness over 100 mm | 0.010 mm | 0.003 mm |
| Parallelism | 0.010 mm | 0.003 mm |
| Roundness | 0.005 mm | 0.002 mm |
| Squareness | 0.010 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Surface finish | Ra 0.4 µm | Ra 0.1 µm |
| Workpiece hardness | up to 62 HRC | up to 65 HRC |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Design Tips for CNC Cylindrical Grinding M42 High Speed Steel
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Allowing adequate grind stock, specifying realistic flatness over the true datum, and relieving corners help us hit tight tolerances on M42 High Speed Steel efficiently. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Cylindrical Grinding Tolerances & Surface Finish
Ground M42 High Speed Steel reaches single-micron tolerances on size, flatness and parallelism, with surface finishes down to Ra 0.1–0.4 µm — and a near-mirror finish on suitable alloys.
Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most M42 High Speed Steel parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
CNC Cylindrical Grinding Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
Why M42 High Speed Steel?
Customers select M42 High Speed Steel for CNC Cylindrical Grinding because it is red-hard and highly wear-resistant. We handle grade verification and any required heat treatment or finishing.
Applications of CNC Cylindrical Grinding M42 High Speed Steel
M42 High Speed Steel parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order CNC Cylindrical Grinding M42 High Speed Steel
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the M42 High Speed Steel grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Finishing Options for M42 High Speed Steel
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Cylindrical Grinding M42 High Speed Steel
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact M42 High Speed Steel grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
M42 High Speed Steel in Other Processes
Related
Send the drawing, the M42 High Speed Steel condition and the quantity — pricing and lead time come back the same or next business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What is CNC Cylindrical Grinding M42 High Speed Steel and how is it done?
CNC Cylindrical Grinding M42 High Speed Steel refers to cylindrical grinding finishes outer diameters of rotational parts to precise size and roundness. Applied to M42 High Speed Steel — red-hard and highly wear-resistant — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
Why is M42 High Speed Steel a good choice for CNC Cylindrical Grinding?
M42 High Speed Steel is red-hard and highly wear-resistant, which makes it well suited to CNC Cylindrical Grinding. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished M42 High Speed Steel grinding part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Cylindrical Grinding on M42 High Speed Steel?
Machined M42 High Speed Steel edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Cylindrical Grinding M42 High Speed Steel?
We machine M42 High Speed Steel across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.