Sumitomo Metals Develops Non-Lead Free-Cutting Steel

Sumitomo Metal Industry and Sumitomo Metals Kokura announced on Thursday both companies developed low carbon and non-lead free-cutting steel, “Smigreen CS,” and accepted the order for shafts used in printer from Japanese major office automation equipment maker. Sumitomo Metals will switch over former low carbon and free-cutting steel including lead, “AISI-12L14,” to “Smigreen CS,” and expand Smigreen series production including middle carbon and non-lead free-cutting steels to a few thousands tonnes per month. Both companies increased additive amount of fur compound in AISI-1215 and developed new steel grade which has same machinability compared to existing free-cutting steel. Users are under control in using lead with Restricting the use of Hazardous Substances or End-of-life Vehicle in Europe. The firm developed non-lead free-cutting steel to meet users’ requests and started to supply middle carbon and non-lead free-cutting steel in 2002. Moreover, the firm advanced the development low carbon and non-lead free cutting steel which is higher machinability from 2002.