A study was carried out about the effects of Si and Al on the various properties of free-machining magnetic stainless steel.
The results obtained are as follows;
(1) The more the contents of Si and Al, the better the magnetic properties and improving effects of magnetic properties with Al is larger than that of Si. However, sufficient magnetic properties can be obtained by addition of a small quantity of Al.
(2) Within the scope of the tests, the machinability was always found improved by lead addition regardless of Si contents.
(3) The results of corrosion test depend upon the difference of test method, but it seems that material with Al contents is a little worse than that of Si.
(4) The practical composition of free-machining magnetic stainless steel is considered as 0.02% of C, 0.90% of Si, 0.25% of Mn, 13.00% of Cr, 0.25% of Al and addition of some proper amount of Pb is desired.
(5) In order to obtain better magnetic properties 850°C (approximate figure) is recommendable as the annealing temperature.