General Information for Steel M3
| Material Group |
P - Steel |
| Sub-Group |
Tool Steel |
| Tensile Strength |
795-870[N/mm^2] |
| Machinability Range |
39% |
MACHINABILITY OF M3 STEEL
Steel M3 is a tool steel (high-alloy steel) that has on top of the 1.1% of carbon an additional 12.8% of manganese, chromium, nickel, tungsten, and molybdenum. (See details in the table below). Steel M3 has a machinability rating of 39%.
Steel M3 belongs to the "M series" of tool steels. They are classified as high-carbon, molybdenum-tungsten, high-speed steels (Also nicknamed HSS) and contain high carbon along with a considerable amount of tungsten and molybdenum (Between 5% and 10% each). Tool steels in this series (M1-M62) have a machinability rating of 20-40%. Combining these alloying elements creates a material with excellent thermal stability and hardenability; therefore, it is widely used in the production of cutting tools (mainly drill bits and power-saw blades). It is considered very difficult steel for machining.
SUMMARY:
For turning operations on steel M3, low cutting speed is recommended due to its low machinability. Therefore, it is advised to use a grade with high hardness and PVD coating in most cases. For milling, opt for a grade with a relatively hard substrate.
For detailed carbide grades recommendations,check the table below.
Recommended cutting speed range for turning at stable conditions is 480 - 640 [SFM] / 145 - 195 [m/min].
Recommended cutting speed range for milling with stable clamping and short overhang is 300 - 390 [SFM] / 90 - 120 [m/min]
For detailed cutting speed recommendations, check the table below.
Equivalent International Designations for Steel M3
Chemical Composition for Steel M3
| Element |
Amount |
| Tungsten (W) |
5.50-6.75% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
4.75-6.50% |
| Chromium (Cr) |
3.75-4.50% |
| Vanadium (V) |
2.25-2.75% |
| Carbon (C) |
1.00-1.10% |
| Silicon (Si) |
0.20-0.45% |
| Nickel (Ni) |
0.30 max% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
0.15-0.40% |
Cutting Speeds Recomendations for Steel M3
| Application |
Vc (m/min) |
Vc (SFM) |
| Turning |
145-195 |
480-640 |
| Milling |
90-120 |
300-390 |
| Parting |
70-95 |
230-310 |
| Grooving |
80-110 |
260-360 |
| Drilling |
60-80 |
200-260 |
Important! The speed estimation is given for an ideal situation:
- Most suitable carbide grade
- Stable tool clamping
- Stable workpiece clamping
- Good quality raw material
- A short overhang of the cutting tool.
- Nominal hardness of the material.
- etc.
Recommended Carbide Grades for Steel M3
Grade for Milling (Indexable)
Recommended Insert Cutting Edge Geometry for Steel M3
| Honing Size |
0.05-0.08 mm / 0.002-0.003" |
| Rake Angle |
11° -13° |
| Land Angle |
Positive |
| Land Width |
0.20-0.30 mm / 0.008-0.012" |
