Are you looking for the best free-machining steel factories in China to meet your automotive or industrial needs? With the rapid growth of China’s automotive industry, the demand for high-quality free-machining steel has never been higher. Let’s dive into the top factories that are leading the way in this crucial sector.
China Free cutting steel factory and manufacturers
Free-Machining Steel
Product Details: Free-machining steel is a type of steel designed to produce little chips when machined, improving its machinability. It is available in several series, including the 11xx and 12xx series. The 11xx series has a sulfur content raised to 0.1%, increasing machinability by about 20% but reducing tensile strength by around 10%. The 12xx series has higher sulfur and phosphorus content, further increasing machinability by 40% but degrading mechanical qualities. SAE 12L14 is a specific type with 0.25% lead added, enhancing machinability by an additional 35% due to lead’s lubricating properties during cutting.
Pros:
– Improved machinability due to higher sulfur and phosphorus content
– Ability to machine at higher speeds
– Broader cuts and longer tool life
– Automated equipment can operate without human intervention
– Lead in SAE 12L14 reduces friction and naturally lubricates the cutting edge
Cons:
– Higher cost compared to regular carbon steels
– Reduced tensile strength and increased brittleness
– Environmental and health hazards associated with lead supplements
– Material becomes less durable
The Growing Role of Free Cutting Steel in China’s Automotive …
Free Cutting Steel
Product Details: BENTELER SMARTCUT® is a seamless steel tube made from free-cutting steel, combining the advantages of highly machinable free-cutting steels with the geometric benefits of a tube. It is available in both hot-rolled and cold-drawn types, optimized for various applications. The tubes have a minimum sulfur content of 0.10%, which enhances machinability and reduces costs. They can be customized with specific material properties, heat treatment, and processing such as machined inner surfaces or pre-cut lengths.
Pros:
– Reduces machining costs by up to 40% compared to standard materials.
– Eliminates processing steps such as drilling by using tubes.
– Improves material utilization, resulting in material savings of over 50% compare…
– Enhances tool life by up to 400% due to better chip formation.
– Supports automated machining processes, increasing productivity.
– Reduces CO₂ emissions by more than 70% compared to the blast furnace route.
– Complies with EU REACH regulations using lead-free materials, ensuring environme…
Cons:
– Higher sulfur content may reduce the toughness of the steel, though this is miti…
– The use of free-cutting elements like sulfur and selenium can affect the impact…
China Free Cutting Steel Manufacturers Suppliers Factory
Product Details: Free cutting steel is available in round bar form with an outer diameter ranging from 1-400mm and a length of 1-12000mm. The size can be customized according to customer needs.
Pros:
– Easy to machine due to the presence of elements like sulfur, lead, bismuth, sele…
– Improved tool life and surface finish of the machined component[2]
– Higher machining rates and larger cuts possible[2]
– Reduced machining force and friction between the chip and the tool[2]
Cons:
– Generally costs 20% to 30% more than standard steel[2]
– Enhancements in machining performance are often at the expense of mechanical pro…
– Presence of certain elements like lead can be environmentally unfriendly and may…
What is free machining steel?
Product Details: Free machining steel is a type of carbon steel that has been alloyed with elements such as sulfur, lead, phosphorus, selenium, tellurium, or bismuth to improve its machinability. It forms small chips when machined, which enhances the material’s machinability by breaking the chips into small pieces and avoiding entanglement in machinery. This allows for automatic equipment to operate without human interaction. Free machining steels are categorized into several types, including leaded, resulfurized, rephosphorized, and super free-machining steels[1][3][4].
Pros:
– Increases machinability by forming small chips, reducing the risk of tangling in…
– Enables automatic equipment to run without human interaction
– Allows for higher machining speeds and larger cuts
– Extends tool life due to reduced tool wear
– Improves surface finish and reduces power consumption during machining[1][2][3]
Cons:
– Decreased ductility and impact resistance
– Reduced tensile strength and increased brittleness
– Lower corrosion resistance compared to standard steels
– Shrink fits are not as strong
– Copper-based brazed joints may suffer from embrittlement with bismuth free machi…
– Environmental and health hazards associated with lead additives[1][2][4]
Bar/rod, cold formed/finished free cutting steel (HS
Product Details: Cold finished steel bars, such as 1018 grade, are produced through cold drawing or rolling processes. They offer closer dimensional accuracy, tighter size tolerances, and a smoother surface finish compared to hot rolled bars. These bars are available in various shapes including round, square, hexagon, and special profiles. They are made from low carbon steel with good weldability, formability, and fair machinability. The chemical composition includes carbon (0.15-0.20%), manganese (0.60-0.90%), phosphorus (max 0.04%), and sulfur (max 0.05%). Mechanical properties include tensile strength (80,000-90,000 psi), yield strength (70,000-80,000 psi), and Brinell hardness (160-190 BHN)[3][5][2].
Pros:
– Higher tensile and yield strength compared to hot rolled bars
– Tighter size tolerances and improved surface smoothness
– Good weldability and formability
– Fair to good machinability
– Excellent dimensional control and straightness
– Suitable for various applications such as shafts, axles, pins, fasteners, and bo…
Cons:
– Limited mechanical properties due to low alloy content
– May require stress relieving for severe bends
– Higher carbon content grades are not readily weldable without preheating
– Quenching and tempering may be necessary for certain applications
What Type of Steel is Best for Your CNC Machined Part?
Product Details: Stainless steel is a popular material for CNC machining due to its unique balance of properties. It is relatively hard, has high mechanical strength that can be increased through heat treatments, and is highly resistant to corrosion and chemical deterioration. Stainless steel maintains its properties even at higher temperatures and is generally cheaper than aluminum or titanium alloys, with better weldability. Key alloys include SS 303, SS 416, and SS 304, each with specific advantages and applications.
Pros:
– High mechanical strength and durability
– Excellent corrosion and chemical resistance
– Maintains properties at higher temperatures
– Better weldability compared to aluminum and titanium
– Cost-effective
– Good machinability with certain alloys like SS 416
Cons:
– Austenitic stainless steels prone to work hardening, increasing tool wear
– Low thermal conductivity can cause heat buildup and sensitization
– Risk of intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking without proper coo…
– Some alloys not suitable for marine or chlorine environments
– Limited availability and poor weldability of certain alloys like SS 416
Free Cutting Steel Grade Equivalent Table
Product Details: Free cutting steel is a type of alloy steel that has been enhanced with the addition of certain elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, lead, calcium, selenium, and tellurium to improve its machinability. This steel grade is crucial in industries where machining is a significant process. The website provides a comprehensive table of free cutting steel grade equivalents across various international standards, including American ASTM, UNS, GB, ISO, Europe, Germany, France, and Japan.
Pros:
– Improved machinability due to the addition of elements like sulfur, phosphorus,…
– Enhanced performance in machining processes, which is critical in various indust…
– Wide range of grade equivalents available for different international standards.
Cons:
– The addition of certain elements can potentially reduce the overall strength and…
– May not be suitable for applications requiring high strength or durability due t…
Free Cutting Steel at Best Price in China
Product Details: Free-cutting steel is an alloy steel that contains elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, lead, calcium, selenium, and tellurium to improve its machinability. It is mainly used for processing on automatic cutting machine tools and is applied in various industries including instruments, watch parts, automobiles, machine tools, and other machines requiring strict dimensional accuracy and roughness. The steel is available in various standards (ASTM, JIS, DIN, EN, GB) and sizes (round bar: 1-400mm diameter, 1-12000mm length). The surface can be polished, black, or ground as required.
Pros:
– Improved machinability due to the addition of free-cutting elements
– Suitable for high-speed and precision cutting processes
– Wide range of applications including instruments, watch parts, and machine tools
– Available in various standards and sizes
– Can meet strict requirements on dimensional accuracy and roughness
Cons:
– May have lower mechanical properties compared to other steel types
– Higher cost due to the addition of special elements
– Limited in high-strength applications due to its composition
Comparison Table
| Company | Product Details | Pros | Cons | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Free cutting steel factory and manufacturers | www.stargoodsteelgroup.com | |||
| Free-Machining Steel | Free-machining steel is a type of steel designed to produce little chips when machined, improving its machinability. It is available in several series… | – Improved machinability due to higher sulfur and phosphorus content – Ability to machine at higher speeds – Broader cuts and longer tool life – Autom… | – Higher cost compared to regular carbon steels – Reduced tensile strength and increased brittleness – Environmental and health hazards associated wit… | houstonmetalsawing.com |
| The Growing Role of Free Cutting Steel in China’s Automotive … | www.tongyimetal.com | |||
| Free Cutting Steel | BENTELER SMARTCUT® is a seamless steel tube made from free-cutting steel, combining the advantages of highly machinable free-cutting steels with the g… | – Reduces machining costs by up to 40% compared to standard materials. – Eliminates processing steps such as drilling by using tubes. – Improves mater… | – Higher sulfur content may reduce the toughness of the steel, though this is miti… – The use of free-cutting elements like sulfur and selenium can… | freecuttingsteeltube.com |
| China Free Cutting Steel Manufacturers Suppliers Factory | Free cutting steel is available in round bar form with an outer diameter ranging from 1-400mm and a length of 1-12000mm. The size can be customized ac… | – Easy to machine due to the presence of elements like sulfur, lead, bismuth, sele… – Improved tool life and surface finish of the machined componen… | – Generally costs 20% to 30% more than standard steel[2] – Enhancements in machining performance are often at the expense of mechanical pro… – Prese… | www.lusteel.com |
| What is free machining steel? | Free machining steel is a type of carbon steel that has been alloyed with elements such as sulfur, lead, phosphorus, selenium, tellurium, or bismuth t… | – Increases machinability by forming small chips, reducing the risk of tangling in… – Enables automatic equipment to run without human interaction -… | – Decreased ductility and impact resistance – Reduced tensile strength and increased brittleness – Lower corrosion resistance compared to standard ste… | www.ryerson.com |
| Bar/rod, cold formed/finished free cutting steel (HS | Cold finished steel bars, such as 1018 grade, are produced through cold drawing or rolling processes. They offer closer dimensional accuracy, tighter… | – Higher tensile and yield strength compared to hot rolled bars – Tighter size tolerances and improved surface smoothness – Good weldability and forma… | – Limited mechanical properties due to low alloy content – May require stress relieving for severe bends – Higher carbon content grades are not readil… | oec.world |
| What Type of Steel is Best for Your CNC Machined Part? | Stainless steel is a popular material for CNC machining due to its unique balance of properties. It is relatively hard, has high mechanical strength t… | – High mechanical strength and durability – Excellent corrosion and chemical resistance – Maintains properties at higher temperatures – Better weldabi… | – Austenitic stainless steels prone to work hardening, increasing tool wear – Low thermal conductivity can cause heat buildup and sensitization – Risk… | www.china-machining.com |
| Free Cutting Steel Grade Equivalent Table | Free cutting steel is a type of alloy steel that has been enhanced with the addition of certain elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, lead, calcium, se… | – Improved machinability due to the addition of elements like sulfur, phosphorus,… – Enhanced performance in machining processes, which is critical… | – The addition of certain elements can potentially reduce the overall strength and… – May not be suitable for applications requiring high strength o… | songshunsteel.com |
| Free Cutting Steel at Best Price in China | Free-cutting steel is an alloy steel that contains elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, lead, calcium, selenium, and tellurium to improve its machinab… | – Improved machinability due to the addition of free-cutting elements – Suitable for high-speed and precision cutting processes – Wide range of applic… | – May have lower mechanical properties compared to other steel types – Higher cost due to the addition of special elements – Limited in high-strength… | tjibc.com |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions About Free-Machining Steel Factories in China
What is free-machining steel and why is it important
Free-machining steel, also known as free-cutting steel, is a type of alloy steel that contains elements like sulfur, phosphorus, lead, calcium, selenium, and tellurium to improve its machinability. This makes it ideal for high-speed cutting, precision, and automated processing, which is crucial for manufacturing components that require strict dimensional accuracy and surface quality.
Where is free-machining steel primarily used in China
In China, free-machining steel is widely used in various industries, particularly in the automotive sector. It is employed in the production of automotive components such as crankshafts, connecting rods, steering bars, and other critical parts that require good cutting performance and high precision.
What are the key benefits of using free-machining steel
Using free-machining steel offers several benefits, including improved tool life, enhanced production efficiency, and better surface quality. It also reduces the risk of cracks, residual stress, and deformation during the machining process, making it a preferred choice for manufacturers who need high-quality and reliable components.
How does the demand for free-machining steel in China compare to other countries
China’s annual demand for free-machining steel in the automotive sector is approximately 100,000 tons, which is significantly lower than Japan’s demand of around 1 million tons per year. However, the growing automotive industry in China indicates a potential for further growth in the demand for free-machining steel.
What certifications and standards do Chinese free-machining steel manufacturers adhere to
Chinese manufacturers of free-machining steel adhere to various international standards such as ASTM, JIS, DIN, EN, and GB. They also hold certifications like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001, ensuring that the products meet high-quality and safety standards. Additionally, some manufacturers have second-party certifications from reputable companies like Canon Japan.