Machining DataSheet for

General Information:
Material GroupP - Steel
Sub-GroupTool Steel
Tensile Strength795-870 [N/mm^2]
Machinability39%

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Machining Steel M3

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 below table). 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

You can find here a list of machinability Ratings for different Tool Steels.

Summery:

  • 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 Below Chart, or use the Grades Wizrad.
  • 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 recomendations, check the Below Table, or use our Speed and Feed Calculator.

    • Equivalent International Designations for Steel M3

    Standard Name
    saeM3

    Chemical Composition for Steel M3

    Element Amount
    Tungsten (W)5.00-6.75%
    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

    * Click on the speeds below for higher precision in specific conditions!

    ApplicationVc (m/min)Vc (SFM)
    Turning145-195480-640
    Milling90-120300-390
    Parting70-95230-310
    Grooving80-110260-360
    Drilling60-80200-260

    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.
    Click on the speeds in the above table to get better precision for specific parameters
    Or use our Speed and Feed Calculator


    Recommended Carbide Grades for Steel M3

    * If you do nott understand the below table? Read This Explanation to make the most out of it!

    Grade for Turning

    Grade for Parting Off

    Grade for Grooving

    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"

    Learn more about carbide inserts Cutting-Edge Geometry Parameters.

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