Leaded Steel – High Machinability for Precision Engineering

At Midland Bright Steels, we supply a comprehensive range of Leaded Steel, also known as Freecutting Steel, designed to enhance machinability, production efficiency, and component precision. These special steels contain carefully controlled amounts of Lead (Pb) and Sulphur (S), which significantly reduce machining resistance and improve cutting performance.

Unlike standard case-hardening and direct-hardening steels, Leaded Steels incorporate:

• Lead (Pb): Typically present in amounts ranging from 0.15% to 0.35%, acting as a lubricant within the metal structure to reduce tool wear and improve surface finish.
• Sulphur (S): Present in quantities of 0.25% to 0.35%, forming manganese sulphides that break up chips during machining, allowing for faster cutting speeds and improved tool life.

These properties make Leaded Steels particularly beneficial for mass production environments, where high-speed machining is required to produce large volumes of precision-engineered components efficiently.

Key Benefits of Leaded Steel

Superior Machinability – The inclusion of lead allows for reduced friction during machining, leading to faster cutting speeds and lower production costs.
Extended Tool Life – The self-lubricating properties of lead and sulphur help minimise tool wear, extending the lifespan of cutting equipment.
Smooth Surface Finish – Components produced from Leaded Steel have improved surface quality, reducing the need for secondary finishing processes.
Ideal for Mass Production – These steels are commonly used in automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, and general engineering where precision and efficiency are critical.

Available Leaded Steel Products

At Midland Bright Steels, we offer a full range of Freecutting/Leaded materials, available in a variety of forms, including:

• Diameters – For precision-turned components.
• Hexagons – Used in fasteners, bolts, and custom machining applications.
• Flats & Squares – Ideal for structural and industrial use where high machinability is required.

Your Trusted Supplier of Leaded Steel

With years of experience in the steel industry, we are committed to providing high-quality Leaded Steel to meet the needs of modern manufacturing. Whether you’re looking for materials for high-speed machining, automated production, or specialist applications, we have the expertise and stock availability to deliver quickly and reliably.

Get in Touch Today

For more information or to discuss your specific Leaded Steel requirements, contact Midland Bright Steels today. Our team is ready to assist you in selecting the right material for your production needs.