Swiss Steel Group has announced the upcoming launch of a new, highly machinable, lead-free free-cutting steel. This marks a major step for environmental sustainability and technical performance in the free-cutting steel industry.
Sustainability is an important focus for the Swiss Steel Group, which, as this year's winner of the German Sustainability Award, strives to combine technical excellence and sustainability in dealing with our environment.
free cutting steels
Free-cutting steels are crucial for a variety of applications in various industries, including automotive, mechanical engineering and hydraulics. Typically, these steels contain lead (Pb) to improve their machinability.
However, this practice is being discussed in the context of possible EU regulations, as the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has recommended the inclusion of lead in the approval list in 2023. A decision by the European Commission could mean that from a certain point onwards the use and marketing of lead will only be permitted with a special permit.
Strategic and future-oriented positioning
Against this background, the Swiss Steel Group positions itself strategically and future-oriented for the various market segments. With the upcoming launch of lead-free steel, the company is expanding its portfolio and taking into account the growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions.
11SMn30+BX
The new offering, 11SMn30+BX, uses boron (B) as an additional element instead of lead (Pb), achieving exceptional machinability. This solution gives customers the opportunity to switch to a lead-free variant. The areas of application for Swiss Steel's free-cutting steel portfolio are primarily where small and precise components are required, for which machinability is the essential required property.
The market launch of 11SMn30+BX is planned for the second quarter of 2024. Numerous tests have already been successfully carried out and market readiness is imminent. The Swiss Steel Group looks forward to informing its customers about the advantages and possibilities of this innovative product.
