Español
Türkçe
Français
عربي 
dansk
한국어
Deutsch
Việt Nam
Italiano
日本語
Português
Free Cutting Steel | 12L14 | 1215 | 11SMnPb30
BRAND: PROMISTEEL
GRADES: 12L14, 1215, 1144, 11SMn30, 11SMnPb30
SHAPES: Hexagon Bar, Round Bar, Square Bar
DELIVERY CONDITION: Cold Drawn (Bright), Polished
SURFACE: h9 / h10 / h11 Tolerance
FEATURE: Excellent Chip Breaking & Lubricity
APPLICATION: Hydraulic Fittings, Fasteners, Bushings, Connectors
MOQ: 5 Tons
Free Cutting Steel, also known as Free Machining Steel, is specifically engineered for high-volume, automated production. By adding elements like Sulfur (S), Phosphorus (P), and Lead (Pb), this steel forms soft inclusions (Manganese Sulfide or Lead particles) within the matrix.
These inclusions act as internal lubricants and chip breakers during machining. The result is small, broken chips (instead of long, stringy ones) and significantly reduced cutting forces. Our flagship grades, 12L14 (Leaded) and 1215 (Resulfurized), allow machining speeds to increase by 30%-50% compared to standard carbon steel, making them the standard material for CNC Swiss Lathes and Multi-Spindle Screw Machines.
Product Specifications & Grade Equivalents
We supply Free Cutting Steel in cold drawn (bright) condition with tight dimensional tolerances (h9/h10) for automatic bar feeders.
Table-1
Select the right grade for your machining speed and environmental requirements.
International Grade Comparison |
||||
| GB (China) | ASTM / AISI (USA) | DIN / EN (Germany) | JIS (Japan) | Type/Feature |
| Y15Pb | 12L14 | 1.0718 (11SMnPb30) | SUM24L |
Leaded (Fastest Machining) |
| Y15 | 1215 | 1.0715 (11SMn30) | SUM23 |
High Sulfur (RoHS Compliant) |
| Y12 | 1212 | - | SUM22 |
Standard Free Cutting |
| Y40Mn | 1144 | 1.0727 (45S20) | - |
Medium Carbon (High Strength) |
Table-2
Sulfur and Lead are the keys to machinability.
Chemical Composition (Mass Fraction %) |
|||||
| Grade | C | Mn | P | S (Sulfur) | Pb (Lead) |
| 12L14 / 11SMnPb30 | ≤0.15 | 0.85~1.15 | 0.04~0.09 | 0.26~0.35 | 0.15~0.35 |
| 1215 / 11SMn30 | ≤0.09 | 0.75~1.05 | 0.04~0.09 | 0.26~0.35 | - |
| 1144 (Stressproof) | 0.40~0.48 | 1.35~1.65 | ≤0.04 | 0.24~0.33 | - |
Table-3
Hexagon bars are widely stocked for nut and fitting production.
Supply Range & Formats |
|||
| Product Form | Dimensions (mm) | Delivery Condition | Tolerance |
| Hexagon Bar | AF: 5 - 65 | Cold Drawn (Bright) | h11 |
| Round Bar | Dia: 3 - 100 | Cold Drawn / Polished | h9 / h10 |
| Square Bar | Side: 5 - 50 | Cold Drawn | h11 |
| Wire Rod | Dia: 5.5 - 20 | Hot Rolled (Coil) | - |
Key Features and Advantages
- Superior Machinability: 12L14 is rated at ~160% machinability (compared to 100% for the B1112 standard). It allows for the highest cutting speeds and feed rates in the industry.
- Excellent Chip Breaking: The high Sulfur content creates MnS inclusions that cause chips to break into small, manageable pieces. This prevents "bird nesting" (clogging) on automatic lathes.
- Extended Tool Life: The internal lubrication provided by Lead and Sulfur reduces friction on the cutting tool edge, significantly prolonging tool life.
- Smooth Surface Finish: Cold-drawn bars provide a bright, smooth finish that often requires no further polishing after machining.
Typical Applications
Free Cutting Steel is the lifeblood of the precision component industry:
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Fittings
Valves, nozzles, hose connectors (Hexagon bars are standard here).
Automotive Components
Bushings, sensor housings, brake pistons, and fluid system parts.
Fasteners
Inserts, standoffs, nuts, and specialized bolts.
Electronics
Precision screws and shafts for printers and appliances.
Office Equipment
Shafts and pins for copiers and printers (often using 1215).
Want to know why 12L14 is the industry standard for Swiss lathes?
Read our complete technical guide on
FAQ
Q1: What is the difference between 12L14 and 1215?
A1: Lead (Pb).
12L14 contains lead (~0.25%), which makes it the fastest machining steel available.
1215 does not contain lead. It relies only on sulfur for machinability. It is slightly slower to machine than 12L14 but is RoHS compliant and environmentally friendly.
Q2: Is Free Cutting Steel weldable?
A2: No. The high sulfur and phosphorus content (and lead in 12L14) causes "hot shortness" and porosity during welding. These steels will crack if welded. They are designed for parts that are assembled by threads or interference fits, not welding.
Q3: Can 12L14 be hardened?
A3: Not by through-hardening (quenching) because the carbon content is too low (<0.15%). However, it can be Case Hardened (Carburized) to improve surface wear resistance while keeping the core soft.
Q4: Why is a cold-drawn finish important?
A4: CNC machines and automatic bar feeders require bars with very straight and tight diameter tolerances to run smoothly at high RPM. Cold-drawn bars provide this precision (ISO h9/h10 tolerance) and also have higher tensile strength than hot-rolled bars.
Hot Tags: free cutting steel | 12l14 | 1215 | 11smnpb30, China free cutting steel | 12l14 | 1215 | 11smnpb30 manufacturers, suppliers
Previous
No InformationNext
No InformationYou Might Also Like
Send Inquiry