Leaded (Pb) Steels

Leaded (Pb) Steels

Lead is added to steels for improving machinability. Any steel may be leaded Leaded free-machining versions of many carbon and alloy steels are available. The letter "L" in their AISI/SAE designations, e.g., 10LXX, denotes such steels.

Lead (Pb)
GENERAL PROPERTIES

Atomic number 82 Density, 20 C (68 F) 11.3 g/cm3

Atomic weight 207.21

Crystal Structure FCC Melting point 327.3 C (621.1 F) Boiling point 1740 C (3164 F)

Lead (Pb)
EFFECT OF LEAD ADDITION
Pb has sole function is to improve machinability, Pb is slightly soluble in liquid or solid steel. At steel making temperatures, the vapor pressure of Pb is about 0.5 atm.

The solubility in liquid iron is about 0.24% Pb at 1500oC increasing to about

0.4% Pb at 1700oC. Prior to casting, Pb added is in solution in the metal and precipitates as small

lead spheroids during the early stages of freezing.

Pb will be present as a dispersion of discrete but preferably submicroscopic metallic lead inclusions.

Lead (Pb)
EFFECT OF LEAD ADDITION

problem of segregation of lead during solidification. additions should be carefully controlled to insure an even dispersion of lead in the solidifying steel. Lead segregation lead to difficulties during cold working and machining. normally to check segregation, a slice of steel is "sweated" at 700 C (1290 F)

and examined for uniform lead distribution.

Lead (Pb)
EFFECT OF LEAD ADDITION

The letter "L" in their AISI/SAE designations, e.g., 10LXX. Usually, lead content is held to about 0.2%, but it may be augmented by the

addition of other free-machining agents (see Bismuth).

Leaded steels are more costly to produce than free-machining grades containing added phosphorus or sulfur. High price is justified by : much improved machinability do not suffer from the embrittlement

Lead (Pb)
EFFECT OF LEAD ADDITION

Lead cause some slight changes in mechanical properties. transverse ductility can be reduced in annealed steels high temperature (345-425oC, 650-800oF) impact strength is impaired fatigue life suffers as the tensile strength of the steel increases.

Presently efforts are on to supplant lead's use by tin.

Lead (Pb)
ROLLING/FORGING

(0.15- 0.35%), lead produces the desired free-machining properties and has no detrimental effect on hot working. Larger amounts can cause hot shortness

Lead (Pb)
HEAT TREATMENT

no intrinsic influence on heat treatment reactions. Leaded steels form a slightly more adherent scale, which can reduce cooling

rates during quenching. It require a somewhat more severe quench for equivalent depth of hardening.

Leaded steels are reported to be more susceptible to quench cracking.

Lead (Pb)
AVAILABLE FORMS

Elemental lead is supplied as

- Cored wire (lead micro-shot), - Pellets - Fine shots - Master alloys containing bismuth These forms are suitable for addition in the tundish, LMF.

Lead (Pb)
Health Issues
o Lead has a high vapor pressure
o Its addition is be accompanied by considerable fuming. o These vapors are toxic and must be vented

o Vapors concentrations must be kept below the permissible TLV-TWA limit of

50g/m3 of air. o Residual blood lead levels of workers should be kept within the OSHA recommended maximum value of 40g/100 g. o Periodic checkup of workers should be carried to check level of lead in Blood

Lead (Pb)
Additional testing requirements: Test for segregation,
% pb in steel, metallurgical properties

mechanical properties
physical properties, Inclusion control, Health checkups of workers, Fume testing,

Lead (Pb)
Issues to be answered before production: -

o End cutting (Billet, R.P.) , skull, to be stored separately. o Separate ladles, tundish & shrouds o Comparatively low temperatures (1600oC) required during lead treatment. o As lead is heavy, addition is to be made near purging point to give it enough momentum for sufficient mixing. o Lead present in melt often blamed for breakout of lining. o There should be no accumulation of lead at the bottom of melt.

Lead (Pb)
Issues to be answered before production: o Special Fume Extraction System (FES) is required. o Low casting speeds coupled with low superheat is high desired during casting. o Modifications will be required in EMS current (increase) & frequency (decrease). o The lead containing heats cannot be subjected to vacuum treatment. o Pb-steel (Non VD) heats would be prone to heavy internal crack formation in cast structure. o Details of present practices of existing steel makers.

Thanks.