Abstract: A process or method used to produce a free-machining, high sulfur steel alloy is accomplished by continuously casting the molten metal rather than ingot casting and processing in a blooming mill. The process begins with a molten alloy having a high sulfur content (0.40-0.65%). The molten metal is poured from the ladle into the tundish of the continuous casting machine. From there, the molten metal is fed into an oscillating mold having the desired cross section. As the molten metal passes through the mold it is cooled to form a solidified metal body. Finally, the metal body is withdrawn and cut into the desired lengths. Additional measures may be incorporated into the process to improve the machinability and surface characteristics. They include feeding aluminum wire into the mold, protecting the casting stream from the atmosphere, and using a slide gate ladle pouring system.

Abstract: An iron base alloy having excellent machinability characterized in having a high sulfur content in the form of small, uniformly distributed particles of manganese sulfide in its microstructure. The alloy, produced by strand-casting techniques to form billets which are subsequently hot-worked into bars or other shapes, consists essentially of up to about 0.50 % carbon, 1.15 to 1.35 % manganese, at least 0.40 % sulfur, about 0.15 to 0.30 % silicon and the remainder substantially all iron with incidental impurities.