2. Machining

2.1 Introduction

Among the many techniques available for processing stainless steels, machining mainly concerns long products (bars). Other machining operations (drilling, milling, tapping), also performed on flat products, cannot be neglected. In this case, they often precede assembly by mechanical means: screws, bolts, rivets. Machining, which is the operation of removing material with a cutting tool, is associated with the concept of machinability for a grade or family of grades.

To improve the workability of their products, steelmakers have developed stainless steels with improved machinability, thanks to better control of the nature and distribution of non-metallic inclusions. Two types of grade have been developed:

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