Materials database

Dezincification-resistant (DZR) leaded brass with arsenic addition (0.02–0.15% As). Specifically developed for potable water applications where standard brasses suffer dezincification attack. Good machinability (70% of CW614N). Compliant with WRAS (UK), ACS (France), 4MS (EU) approvals for drinking water. Used for water meter bodies, valves, fittings and plumbing components. The As addition inhibits selective zinc leaching in aggressive water conditions.

Free-cutting leaded brass — the benchmark for non-ferrous machinability (rated 100%). Lead particles act as chip breakers for excellent surface finish. Used for screw machine parts, fittings, valves, watch components, precision mechanics, and electrical connectors. Old DIN number 2.0375.

Lead-free alpha/alpha+beta brass (63% Cu, 37% Zn). Compromise between cold formability (CuZn35) and hot formability (CuZn40). The most widely used unleaded brass. Used for cartridge cases, radiator cores, lamp components, plumbing fixtures, and decorative hardware.

Free-cutting brass with 2% lead. Good machinability (80% of CuZn39Pb3) with slightly better cold formability. Used for fittings, valves, electrical connectors, and turned parts where slightly less Pb is acceptable or required by regulation. ≈ UNS C37700.

The most widely used free-cutting brass (machinability index 100%). Excellent for high-speed automatic lathe work. Used for turned parts, faucets, valves, fittings, screws, nuts, electrical connectors, and watch components. Also known as MS58.

Muntz Metal / 60-40 Brass — at the alpha-beta boundary, the strongest common unleaded brass. Good hot workability (extrusion, forging, hot stamping). Poor cold formability vs lower-Zn brasses. Susceptible to dezincification in aggressive waters. Used for architectural extrusions, heat exchanger tubes, condenser plates, and marine hardware. ≈ UNS C28000.

Premium high-carbon high-chromium cold-work tool steel with vanadium and molybdenum. Air-hardening with minimal distortion. Superior wear resistance and edge retention. The global benchmark for cold stamping dies, blanking tools, shear blades, and forming tools.

Cold-rolled unalloyed low-carbon steel for cold forming. Base grade of the DC family (DC01-DC07). Good formability for bending, coining, beading, and simple drawing operations. Smooth surface suitable for coating and painting. Formerly designated St12.

Cold-rolled steel for moderate drawing applications. Better formability than DC01, not as good as DC04. The "middle" grade in the EN 10130 drawing steel series. Used for moderate deep-drawing applications, automotive body panels (non-critical areas), white goods housings, and general presswork.

Cold-rolled low-carbon steel for deep drawing. Higher formability than DC01/DC03 — suitable for difficult drawing and profiling operations. Used for automotive body panels, deep-drawn kitchen sinks, complex stampings, and precision-formed components.

Cold-rolled steel for extra deep drawing. The highest formability grade in the EN 10130 drawing steel series (r-value ≥1.8). Very low yield strength for excellent deep drawability. Used for complex deep-drawn automotive body panels (doors, fenders), kitchen sinks, washing machine drums, and any severe stamping application.

Interstitial-free (IF) cold-rolled steel — the absolute best formability of all automotive steels. Ultra-low carbon (<0.02%) with Ti/Nb microalloying to scavenge interstitial C and N. r-value ≥2.1. Used for the most demanding deep-drawn body panels (door inners, complex fenders, quarter panels) and structural reinforcements requiring extreme formability.

Super deep-drawing quality cold-rolled steel with extremely low carbon content (max 0.01%). The highest formability grade in the EN 10130 DC series, designed for extreme cold forming operations. Interstitial-free (IF) steel with Ti and/or Nb stabilization to achieve exceptional r-values and elongation. Used for complex automotive body panels, deep-drawn fuel tanks, and intricate sheet metal components requiring the most demanding forming operations.

Modified D2 cold-work tool steel developed by Daido Steel (Japan). Refined Cr-Mo-V composition with higher tempering temperature capability gives ~2x the toughness of standard D2 at equal hardness (62-63 HRC). Used as D2 replacement for progressive dies, blanking tools, and cold forging where chipping is a problem.

The most widely used duplex (austenitic-ferritic) stainless steel. Balanced 50/50 microstructure provides twice the yield strength of 304/316L with superior chloride and stress corrosion resistance. Used in oil & gas, chemical processing, marine, and pulp & paper industries.

General-purpose engineering structural steel — ReH >=295 MPa. Formerly St 50-2 (DIN 17100). Higher strength than S235 but not intended for welded structures (higher C, no guaranteed weldability). Used for machine bases, frames, pins, keys, and general engineering parts where moderate strength without welding is sufficient. Not suitable for cold forming.

Rutile-coated stainless steel SMAW electrode for welding dissimilar joints (stainless to carbon steel), stainless steel cladding and overlay welding. 23% Cr, 13% Ni ensures austenitic weld deposit even with dilution from carbon steel base. Low carbon (≤0.03%) for intergranular corrosion resistance. AC or DCEP. Smooth arc, easy slag removal. Used for first layer cladding on pressure vessels, repair of stainless castings and transition joints in process piping.

Mo-bearing stainless steel SMAW electrode for dissimilar joints where the base metals include Mo-bearing grades (316L, 317L). 23% Cr, 13% Ni, 2.5% Mo. Low carbon (≤0.03%) for intergranular corrosion resistance. The correct choice when cladding with 316L-type overlay on carbon steel — standard E309L lacks Mo and underdilutes. AC or DCEP. Used for first-layer cladding in chemical/petrochemical vessels, transition joints between 316L piping and carbon steel.

Rutile-coated austenitic stainless steel SMAW electrode matching 316L (1.4404). 18.5% Cr, 12% Ni, 2.5% Mo, max 0.03% C. Smooth arc, fine ripple bead, easy slag removal. AC or DCEP. For welding 316, 316L and similar Mo-bearing austenitics in food/pharma/chemical processing. Resistant to intergranular corrosion after welding. Used for tanks, vessels, piping and equipment in contact with acids, chlorides and process media.

Highest-strength unalloyed structural steel in EN 10025-2 — former designation St60-2 (DIN 17100). Higher C and Mn than S355 giving UTS 570-710 MPa. Not intended for welding (high CEV). Used for shafts, axles, bolts, and machine parts where weldability is not required but higher strength than S355 is needed. "E" designates engineering steel (vs "S" for structural).

Highest-strength unalloyed structural steel in EN 10025-2 — ReH ≥360 MPa minimum. Not intended for welding (high C ~0.57%). Used for general engineering where maximum unalloyed strength is needed without heat treatment: machine beds, crane components, wear plates, and structural members not requiring welding. Formerly St 70-2 (DIN 17100).

High-cellulose sodium coated SMAW electrode for pipeline welding. Produces a deep penetrating, high-force spray arc with fast-freeze characteristics and minimal slag. The standard electrode for root pass welding in pipeline construction (API 5L X42/X46). DCEP only. Tensile strength 60 ksi (414 MPa), yield 48 ksi (331 MPa). Impact toughness 27J at -30°C. Do NOT rebake — cellulose coating requires 3–7% moisture for proper operation. Also used for field erection, tank repair and welding on dirty/rusty steel.

High-cellulose potassium coated SMAW electrode — the AC-capable version of E6010. Deep penetrating, forceful arc with fast-freeze slag. Runs on both AC and DCEP, making it usable with smaller transformer-type welding machines. Tensile strength 60 ksi (414 MPa). Same cellulose coating system as E6010 — do NOT rebake. Used for pipeline root passes (when DCEP machine not available), field erection, maintenance welding and dirty/rusty steel.

Rutile-coated all-position SMAW electrode for AC and DC±. Smooth, stable arc with low spatter and easy slag removal — the most beginner-friendly stick electrode. Tensile strength 60 ksi (414 MPa). Medium penetration. Excellent for sheet metal, thin-wall tubing, general light fabrication and maintenance welding. Not suitable for critical structural or pressure vessel applications. Rebake at 70–100°C for 1h if damp.