Comparison between AISI 52L100 and the precision wire steel Sandvik 20AP regarding machinability

摘要

The machining properties of high-precision, high-carbon, free-cutting wire steel are discussed and related to the metallurgical microstructure. The machinability has been evaluated inturning, drilling, threading, and grooving. Machining properties such as tool-wear and stability of the machining process are considered together with properties of the machined pieces such as diameter and eccentricity tolerances and surface rouhness. Machinability can be dignificantly ijproved by adjusting the metallurgical structure without essentially changing the chemical composition. If is shown in comparative tests that a material with high consistency of material properties also gives high conststency inthe machining process. This enables a production with high productivity, which is important since the manufacturers of today have high demands onboth productivity and precision. The superior machinability of Sadnvik 20AP, particularly at elevated cutting speeds, represents an important step forward to meet these demands.