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Steel M-50

Steel M-50

Steel M-50 is a high-speed premium-melted alloy with a high level of molybdenum. It has high compressive strength at elevated temperatures, as well as outstanding resistance to multi-axial stresses, good fatigue strength, and good resistance to oxidation. Steel M-50 also has high levels of cleanliness and can be finished to a high luster.

Thanks to these properties of Steel M-50, it is primarily used for manufacturing of aircraft engine bearings, bearings for gas turbines, parts for missiles, and other applications that require high wear resistance and strength up to 800° F (425° C).

Steel M-50 can also be used for manufacturing of high-performance tools such as high-speed drill bars, vibration and impact tools, deep drawing and punching die, metal cutting saw blades, cold heading, and extrusion tools. Please note that Steel M-50 doesn’t have high abrasion resistance and should be used for tooling applications where that property is not essential like woodwork or commercial twist drills.

This steel alloy is produced using VIM-VAR process, or vacuum induction melting followed by vacuum arc remelting (VAC-ARC). Parts made with the VIM-VAR process have excellent micro cleanliness and superior fatigue resistance.

Tech Steel & Materials offers Steel M-50  in two sub-type specifications and three shapes/forms:

Chemical Composition of Steel M-50

Element min max
Carbon (C) 0.78 0.88
Manganese (Mn) 0.15 0.45
Silicon (Si) 0.20 0.60
Phosphorus (P) 0.030
Sulfur (S) 0.030
Chromium (Cr) 3.75 4.50
Nickel (Ni) 0.30
Molybdenum (Mo) 3.90 4.75
Vanadium (V) 0.80 1.25
Iron (Fe) *Balance

*Not exclusively to the element mentioned, but that one predominates other elements that are used only in minimal quantities.

Technical Data

Property Value (imperial) Value (metric)
Ultimate Tensile Strength 363-391 [psix10^3] 2500-2700 MPa
Hardness 60-65 HRC
Service temperature 32-797°F 0-425°C

Physical, Mechanical, Thermal, Electric and Mechanical Properties of Steel M-50

Property Type Value
Density Physical 7.85 g/cm3 / 0.283 lb /in3
Young’s modulus Mechanical 210 GPa
Specific heat Thermal 460 J/kg-K
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion Thermal 11.4 10^-6/ºC
Thermal conductivity Thermal 25.0 W/(m·K)
Electric resistivity Electric 600 Ω*m*10^-9
Relative magnetic permeability Magnetic >500

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

Temperature Range Value (Imperial) Value (Metric)
70-200°F (21-93°C) 6.23 micro in/in- °F 11.21 micro m/m- °K
70-400°F (21-204°C) 6.58 micro in/in- °F 11.84 micro m/m- °K
70-600°F (21-316°C) 6.83 micro in/in- °F 12.29 micro m/m- °K
70-800°F (21-427°C) 7.05 micro in/in- °F 12.69 micro m/m- °K
70-1000° F (21-538°C) 7.38 micro in/in- °F 13.28 micro m/m- °K

Fabrication and Working Instructions

Steel M-50 possesses good machinability. Nonetheless, it is recommended that it is machined in the annealed condition. Steel M-50 responds well to forging, which can be carried out by slowly heating the part to 1500° F (815° C) and keep at that temperature for few hours or to heat the piece thoroughly. Then, the temperature should be increased to 2000° F (1090° C) prior to working. Forging should never be carried out below 1800° F (980° C). After forming is completed, cool slowly to room temperature.

Heat Treatment

Steel M-50 can be obtained in the annealed or hardened state, depending on the sub-specification.

Annealing is carried out at 1600° F (870° C), followed by cooling slowly to room temperature. Please note that Steel M-50 is susceptible to decarburization, which is not a wanted property given its use in tools and bearings. To mitigate decarburization, use inert or reduced-pressure atmosphere during the annealing process.

Hardening should be carried out after annealing. To properly harden Steel M-50, preheat the part to 1500° F (815° C) until the whole component is heated correctly. After preheating, increase the temperature to 2000° F (1090° C) for superheating. As with the preheating step, ensure that the whole part is heated equally before proceeding to immediate quenching in salt bath furnace or controlled atmosphere furnace. After the part was cooled using the quenching method, cool the piece to -100° F (-73° C) for 1 hour.

Tempering should be done immediately after quenching, with double tempering at 1025° F (550° C) recommended for achieving the best properties.

Select AMS Number:

AMS Number Alloy Type UNS Cross Ref. Spec Misc./Shape
AMS 6490 M-50 Steel T11350  
AMS 6490 Bar M-50 Steel T11350 - Bar AMS 6490 Bar
AMS 6490 Forging M-50 Steel T11350 - Forging AMS 6490 Forging
AMS 6490 Tubing M-50 Steel T11350 - Tubing AMS 6490 Tubing
AMS 6491 M-50 Steel T11350  
AMS 6491 Bar M-50 Steel T11350 - Bar AMS 6491 Bar
AMS 6491 Forging M-50 Steel T11350 - Forging AMS 6491 Forging
AMS 6491 Tubing M-50 Steel T11350 - Tubing AMS 6491 Tubing