Steel M35 · heat-treated state
Steel M35 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other M35 tempers.
Pick when impact/edge chipping is the failure mode: interrupted cuts, taps, punches, cold-work tooling.
What is M35 Q&T?
M35 Q&T is M35 heat treated to Q&T — pick when impact/edge chipping is the failure mode: interrupted cuts, taps, punches, cold-work tooling. M35 Q&T has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 223 GPa (32.3 Msi). M35 Q&T has a density of 8.1 g/cm³ (0.293 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 550°C (1,022 °F), better than 94% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- High strength — 600 MPa (87 ksi), better than 77% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 94% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 4.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 94% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
M35 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for M35 Q&T — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every M35 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
M35 Q&T has a density of 8.1 g/cm³ (0.293 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F).
Mechanical13
M35 Q&T has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 223 GPa (32.3 Msi).
Thermal5
M35 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11 µm/m·K (6.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
M35 Q&T conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of M35 Q&T takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
M35 Q&T's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other M35 tempers and conditions
M35 is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the M35 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard mill supply condition for blanks that will be machined then hardened.600 MPa yield · 248 HB
- Hardened & TemperedStandard cutting-tool condition: maximum red hardness and wear resistance for drills, taps, milling cutters and hobs.2,200 MPa tensile
- Q&TPick when impact/edge chipping is the failure mode: interrupted cuts, taps, punches, cold-work tooling.2,100 MPa tensile
Working with M35 Q&T
Is M35 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide or coated HSS tooling and generous coolant; after hardening the material is essentially grind/EDM-only.
Can M35 be welded?
Not a structural weld alloy — repair only, using matching HSS filler with 500–550 °C preheat and immediate re-temper to avoid quench cracks.
Can M35 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1150 °C, stop above 900 °C and cool slowly followed by a full anneal at 850–900 °C; no meaningful cold forming.
What surface finishes work on M35?
Grind with soft, free-cutting wheels and ample coolant to avoid grinding burn; finish with steam oxide, black oxide, nitriding or PVD TiN/TiAlN for wear and oxidation protection.
M35 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 1.3243 runs higher, 0.87–0.95 | 0.82 – 0.88 | 0.85 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.45 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.28 |
| Cr | 3.75 – 4.5 | 4.15 |
| Mo | 4.5 – 5.5 | 5 |
| W | 5.5 – 6.75 | 6.25 |
| V | 1.75 – 2.2 | 1.95 |
| Cocobalt addition vs M2 — raises red hardness | 4.75 – 5.75 | 5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax; sulfurized free-machining versions run higher | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
M35 Q&T — frequently asked
What is M35 Q&T used for?
M35 Q&T is typically used for twist drills, milling cutters and reamers. In short: high-speed cobalt tool.
What is the yield strength of M35 Q&T?
M35 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is M35 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide or coated HSS tooling and generous coolant; after hardening the material is essentially grind/EDM-only.
Can M35 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not a structural weld alloy — repair only, using matching HSS filler with 500–550 °C preheat and immediate re-temper to avoid quench cracks.
What surface finishes work on M35 Q&T?
Grind with soft, free-cutting wheels and ample coolant to avoid grinding burn; finish with steam oxide, black oxide, nitriding or PVD TiN/TiAlN for wear and oxidation protection.
Can M35 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1150 °C, stop above 900 °C and cool slowly followed by a full anneal at 850–900 °C; no meaningful cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of M35 Q&T?
M35 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in M35 Q&T?
Yes — M35 Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A600 — Tool Steel, High Speed — ASTM International (2021)
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (HS6-5-2-5 / 1.3243) — CEN/ISO (2018)
- GB/T 9943 — (W6Mo5Cr4V2Co5) — SAC (2008)
- JIS G 4403 — High speed tool steels (SKH55) — JISC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (machinability of tool steels) — ASM International (1989)
- High speed steel HS6-5-2-5 / S705 data sheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2022)
- Conventional HSS grades data sheet (M35 / HS6-5-2-5) — Erasteel (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.