When processed, the free cutting steel produces small chips. This increases its level of effective workability and machine processing, since the small chips do not burden the machines and do not stop the manufacturing process. This allows for the steel to be processed by automatic machines, and the machine operator is not required to constantly interfere. Additionally, free cutting steel with lead content provides much faster processing speed.
The term effective workability includes the following characteristics:
Historically, lead (Pb) was the main element used for improving the quality of machine processing. Despite that, growing international requirements imposed on environment protection request for the use of alternatives such as selenium (Se) and bismuth (Bi). Additionally, sulfur (S) content improves the welding of various components, thus increases the tools’ useful life.
Free cutting steel’s mechanical properties are determined by alloying elements in addition to thermal treatment (tempering, i.e. quick liquid cooling and metal annealing (Q + T) or case hardening
Audax Corp offers a variety cutting steel grades from stock and new deliveries of specific alloys and sizes at customer’s request.
| Grade | C max | Si max | Mn max | P max | S max | Pb max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
without heat treatment |
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| 11SMn30 | 0,14 | 0,05 | 0,90-1,30 | 0,11 | 0,27-0,33 | - |
| 11SMnPb30 | 0,14 | 0,05 | 0,90-1,30 | 0,11 | 0,27-0,33 | 0,20-0,35 |
| 11SMn37 | 0,14 | 0,05 | 1,00-1,50 | 0,11 | 0,34-0,40 | - |
| 11SMnPb37 | 0,14 | 0,05 | 1,00-1,50 | 0,11 | 0,34-0,4 | 0,20-0,35 |
| SAE1215 | 0,05 | - | 0,75-1,05 | 0,04-0,05 | 0,26-0,35 | - |
| SAE12L14 | 0,15 | - | 0,85-1,15 | 0,04-0,05 | 0,26-0,35 | 0,15-0,35 |
case hardening steel |
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| 10S20 | 0,07-0,13 | 0,04 | 0,70-1,10 | 0,06 | 0,15-0,25 | - |
| 10S20Pb | 0,07-0,0,13 | 0,04 | 0,07-1,10 | 0,06 | 0,15-0,25 | 0,20-0,35 |
| 15SMn13 | 0,12-0,18 | 0,4 | 0,90-1,3 | 0,06 | 0,08-0,18 | - |
steels with tempering trhough fast cooling in liquid and heat treatment of the metal (QT) |
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| 35S20 | 0,32-0,39 | 0,04 | 0,70-1,10 | 0,06 | 0,15-0,25 | - |
| 35SPb20 | 0,32-0,39 | 0,04 | 0,70-1,10 | 0,06 | 0,15-0,25 | 0,15-0,35 |
| 36SMn14 | 0,32-0,39 | 0,04 | 1,30-1,70 | 0,06 | 0,10-0,18 | - |
| 36SMnPb14 | 0,32-0,39 | 0,04 | 1,30-1,70 | 0,06 | 0,10-0,18 | 0,15-0,35 |
| 38SMn28 | 0,35-0,40 | 0,04 | 1,20-1,50 | 0,06 | 0,24-0,33 | - |
| 38SMnPb28 | 0,35-0,40 | 0,04 | 1,20-1,50 | 0,06 | 0,24-0,33 | 0,15-0,35 |
| 44SMn28 | 0,40-0,48 | 0,04 | 1,30-1,70 | 0,06 | 0,24-0,33 | - |
| 44SMnPb28 | 0,40-0,48 | 0,04 | 1,30-1,70 | 0,06 | 0,24-0,33 | 0,15-0,35 |
| 46S20 | 0,42-0,50 | 0,04 | 0,70-1,10 | 0,06 | 0,15-0,25 | - |
| 46SPb20 | 0,42-0,50 | 0,04 | 0,70-1,10 | 0,06 | 0,15-0,25 | 0,15-0,35 |
All sizes are produced under standard EN 10 278, and are available with finish h9 up to h11. Free cutting cutting steel can be delivered in sizes of round bars, squares, hexagonal and flat bars. In addition, we can also offer custom tailored profiles /for more information, please visit the Special Products Section/.