Choose M2 when
You need a dependable general-purpose HSS drill programme with a strong balance between cost, toughness and industrial performance.
Technical Guide · HSS Material Selection
M2 vs M35 vs M42 HSS Drill Bits
Choose the HSS grade by the workpiece, cutting temperature, expected tool life and target cost — not by grade name alone.
Quick Comparison
What changes from M2 to M35 to M42?
All three are high-speed steels used for cutting tools, but their alloy design is different. M35 is a cobalt-bearing HSS with roughly 5% cobalt. M42 is more highly alloyed and typically contains about 8% cobalt. M2 is a widely used molybdenum HSS without intentional cobalt addition.
| Grade | Cobalt content | How to position it | Typical drill-programme fit | Main buying consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2 | No intentional cobalt addition | General-purpose industrial HSS with a strong balance of cost, toughness and cutting performance. | Carbon steel, cast iron, aluminium, copper and many routine workshop or production applications. | Often the starting point when buyers need a broad, cost-effective professional range. |
| M35 | Approximately 5% cobalt | Cobalt HSS selected when higher cutting temperature and harder workpieces require better hot hardness. | Stainless steel, alloy steel and more demanding drilling where M2 reaches its heat limit too quickly. | A practical upgrade when the application justifies higher material cost. |
| M42 | Approximately 8% cobalt | Highly alloyed cobalt HSS for greater hot hardness and wear resistance under demanding cutting conditions. | Harder materials, higher-heat drilling, longer production runs or applications where edge retention is a priority. | Do not specify M42 only for marketing value; confirm that the application needs the extra performance and cost. |
Important: the steel grade is only one part of drill performance. Heat treatment, flute geometry, point geometry, dimensional accuracy, surface finish or coating, cutting speed, feed, lubrication and machine condition can all change the result.
Selection Logic
Start with the application, then choose the grade
A useful purchasing specification begins with the material to be drilled and the actual cutting conditions.
Choose M35 when
Stainless steel, alloy steel or repeated heat exposure makes hot hardness more important and a cobalt grade is justified.
Choose M42 when
The work is especially heat-intensive or wear-intensive and the buyer is willing to pay for a higher-alloy HSS solution after application testing.
Buyer Guide
Four points B2B buyers should confirm
1. Do not confuse cobalt steel with a coating
M35 and M42 are cobalt-bearing HSS grades. Titanium nitride and other coatings are surface treatments. A buyer can specify both a base steel grade and a coating, so the quotation should identify them separately.
2. Higher grade does not automatically mean the best drill
A properly designed and heat-treated M2 drill can outperform a poorly produced cobalt drill in the wrong application. Compare the complete specification, not only the steel name printed on the shank or package.
3. Confirm geometry together with material grade
Point angle, split point, web thickness, flute form and runout all influence drilling behaviour. For demanding stainless-steel work, buyers should review material grade and geometry as one system.
4. Approve samples before repeat production
For OEM and private-label programmes, evaluate the selected grade on the actual workpiece and agree the reference sample before mass production. This gives purchasing, production and quality teams the same acceptance standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
M2, M35 and M42 selection questions
Is M35 simply a coated M2 drill?
No. M35 is a cobalt-bearing high-speed steel, while a coating such as TiN is a surface treatment. The base steel grade and the coating should be specified separately.
When should buyers consider M42 instead of M35?
M42 can be considered when the application creates higher cutting temperatures or demands greater hot hardness and wear resistance. The final choice should still be validated against the workpiece, drill geometry, cutting conditions and sample performance.
Does a higher HSS grade automatically guarantee longer drill life?
No. Tool life also depends on heat treatment, flute and point geometry, dimensional accuracy, surface finish or coating, cutting speed, feed, lubrication, machine condition and the workpiece.
What information should be included in an RFQ for M2, M35 or M42 drills?
Include the workpiece material, standard, diameter and length range, HSS grade, point angle, finish or coating, shank requirement, packaging, branding, sample requirements and estimated quantity.
Need an M2, M35 or M42 drill programme?
Send the workpiece, standard, sizes, point geometry, finish, packaging and expected quantity. Jiateng Tools can organize the specification and sample discussion.