Hasçelik successfully produces 11SMn30 free-cutting steel in its meltshop
Hasçelik has completed the successful meltshop production and hot rolling of 11SMn30 (1.0715) free-cutting steel, positioning the grade as a reliable local alternative for high-machinability applications. The new product targets demanding automotive, machinery, white goods, fastener and defence projects, combining robust quality control with enhanced efficiency in serial production.
Hasçelikhas successfully completed the production of11SMn30 (1.0715) grade free-cutting steelin its meltshop, marking a new stage in domestic free-cutting steel production. Offering high machinability, the new grade passed hot rolling trials in various diameters as well as all mechanical, microstructural and surface tests, becoming a reliable and sustainable local supply option particularly for the automotive, machinery manufacturing and fastener industries.
According to the company, the 11SMn30 free-cutting steel stands out in applications where high machinability is critical and is already seeing strong demand from automotive, machinery and fastener sectors. Billets produced in the meltshop were hot-rolled in different diameter ranges and then subjected to mechanical testing, microstructure examinations and surface inspections. The material successfully cleared all quality control stages, confirming both product performance and the reliability of the production processes.
CRITICAL STEP IN 11SMN30 PRODUCTION
Hasçelik’s management underlines that this step represents a critical threshold in 11SMn30 production. Building on its leading position in the sector and sustained investments, the company continues to respond to changing customer needs while strengthening its portfolio of high-quality, sustainable steel products. With free-cutting steels becoming indispensable materials for mass production in automotive, machinery, white goods, fasteners and defence industries, Hasçelik’s move takes domestic production in this field to a new level.
Placing innovation, creativity, reliability and customer focus at the centre of its strategy, Hasçelik reiterates its ambition to supply high-quality and sustainable steel solutions to its customers. Company officials note that the successful results in 11SMn30 production demonstrate the robustness of Hasçelik’s manufacturing standards and the pay-off of its R&D-driven investments. The new product enables customers in related sectors to access more reliable, higher-performance material that goes beyond conventional expectations.
WHY FREE-CUTTING STEELS MATTER FOR INDUSTRY
The role of free-cutting steels in industry is closely tied to machinability. The better a steel’s machinability, the more speed and efficiency can be achieved on the production line. Free-cutting steels are specifically designed for chip-forming operations and provide significant benefits in mass production thanks to their high cutting performance. Their biggest advantage is that they generate short, brittle chips during machining, which helps minimise tool wear and increase production speed. As a result, tool change times are reduced and manufacturing processes run more smoothly.
What sets these steels apart is their alloy design. Sulphur in the chemical composition increases chip brittleness, allowing chips to break more easily, while lead, added to certain grades, reduces friction between the cutting tool and the workpiece. This leads to lower energy consumption, longer tool life and reduced overall production costs. For this reason, free-cutting steels are counted among the indispensable materials of serial production in sectors such as automotive, machinery, white goods, fasteners and defence. For manufacturers seeking high precision, low machining cost and high efficiency, free-cutting steel has become a strategic solution.
In modern manufacturing, the machinability of steel directly shapes overall productivity. The ability to use higher cutting speeds, shorten cycle times, extend tool life and work with lower cutting forces is no longer a mere technical detail; it affects everything from operating costs and energy consumption to final product quality. With the free-cutting steels it develops, Hasçelik aims to meet these needs at a high level and reinforce its position in the market.
HASÇELİK’S FREE-CUTTING STEEL PORTFOLIO
Hasçelik’s free-cutting steels are predominantly used in cold-drawn condition where tight dimensional tolerances are required on surfaces that will not be machined. The cold-drawn structure is especially preferred on high-volume, precision-oriented lines, providing clear advantages in dimensional stability, surface quality and repeatability. For end users, this translates into fewer revisions, lower scrap rates and a more consistent quality profile.
The company’s product range also includes lead-alloyed free-cutting steels. Lead additions significantly improve the lubricating behaviour of the steel without altering its mechanical properties, taking machinability to an even higher level. This improves chip flow, creates a more controlled environment in the cutting zone and stabilises the interaction between tool and workpiece. In practice, manufacturers can utilise higher cutting speeds while preserving surface finish.
Hasçelik’s free-cutting steels can also be combined with heat treatments such as quenching and tempering or case hardening to reach higher performance levels. Components produced in this way achieve the required mechanical strength while maintaining the machinability advantages obtained during chip-forming operations. By supporting faster, more efficient and higher-quality production with its free-cutting steels, Hasçelik positions itself as a strong solution partner that offers superior machinability at every stage of industrial manufacturing.