Bright steel

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Blankstahl GmbH

Eupener Straße 70

D-40549 Düsseldorf

www.schmolz-bickenbach.de

10/09 Subject to alterations. Errors and omissions excepted.

the suitable steel at whatever location. This

even applies to small lot production. Should a

requested grade be temporarily out of stock,

our global logistics are so organized that we

are in a position to supply you with it as rapidly

as possible – and just-in-time where required.

Furthermore, you can make the best use of

our extensive range of services – starting with

technical advice from highly qualified teams of

engineers through to the most diverse processing

options. This spans from simple saw cuts through

to machining to very close tolerances. When it

comes to fixed lengths and end machining, you

can obtain virtually everything which is technically

feasible with SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH.

Our bright steel portfolio comprises several

thousand items all of which come polished

and are available in drawn, peeled or ground

condition or a combination of all three.

Regardless whether a country’s specific steel

standards or customized special materials for

crucial components are concerned, you can

be assured that SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH

is a competent business partner for every steel

solution – and that includes supplying your

ready-to-install workpiece if required.

We offer a complete service spectrum ranging

from production and processing through to

distribution. As an international distribution

company, we source steel from our own

production units or on the best possible

terms globally through external suppliers.

Our longstanding cooperation with renowned

steel producers ensures constant quality

standards. At SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH,

these manufacturers as well as the steels they

produce are subject to continuous controls in

order to guarantee that unwavering standards

are met on an ongoing basis. We take this to

the point that we certify our producers together

with you, if requested.

In this manner every single one of our high-

grade and engineering steels fulfils the most

stringent quality demands made in the field of

mechanical engineering and by the automotive

industry.

Our finely tuned range of services offers you the

advantage of always receiving quality-tested

steel products from a single source – worldwide.

Through our extensive distribution network, we

ensure that any business can be supplied with

It is not only our clients’ diverse requirements that

have contributed to our company becoming one

of the world’s largest producers, processors and

distributors of long products made from specialty

steel – but also our longstanding tradition spanning

more than 150 years.

Today we are in a position to supply nearly the entire bright steel

range obtainable in the most diverse qualities and sizes, with more

than 70,000 stock-on-hand items ensuring short-term availability.

Our extensive product portfolio is supplemented by a comprehensive

service programme. This includes advisory services, wide-ranging

machining and logistic solutions which offer you maximum flexibility

from start to finish.

So as to respond to your requirements even more efficiently and to let

you increasingly benefit from our know-how of local and international

markets, we are constantly expanding our distribution network. As a

result, we are where you need us in all the significant markets worldwide.

Bright steelsolutionsfor everyapplication

02 03

Quality and service through to customized processing

When coil drawing, we produce bright steel up

to 40 mm in diameter from a coil. Here too all

production stages from bending up, descaling,

shearing, straightening via eddy current testing

and end machining through to weighing

and packaging are carried out in one single

production line.

Cold-drawn bright steel bars are invariably

straightened and polished. Thinner

measurements can also be supplied in coils

and on request, coil material can be arranged

in layers.

We supply drawn bright steel in the most

diverse cross-sectional shapes according

to EN 10278, with IT 11 or IT 9 tolerances.

This type of steel is produced by drawing from

hot-rolled bar steel or wire rod.

In comparison to hot-formed steel products,

the non-cutting drawing operation results in

far higher dimensional accuracy. This in turn

is a substantial prerequisite for the workability

on multispindle automatics, which enable the

manufacture of high-precision turned parts

from engineering drawings. The drawing

operation also results in an increase in

strength characteristics (tensile strength and

yield point).

With low carbon steel grades, drawing produces

an improvement in machinability. Work hardening

ensuing from the drawing operation can be

reversed by subsequent heat treatment with all

steel grades.

On our most modern production lines we draw

bright steel with high dimensional accuracy,

high-quality surface finishes and defined

mechanical properties, no matter whether

produced bar to bar, coil to bar or coil to coil.

So as to be able to realize bar drawing of

large cross sections with utmost precision,

we utilize bar draw benches with a traction

of up to 100 tons.

By intercoupling plant components in the

most modern manner, we are in a position

to descale, draw, straighten and cut bright

steel from rolled primary material without any

costly handling.

To ensure production efficiency, an eddy

current testing system for the detection of

surface flaws and an end machining unit have

been integrated into the production line.

Drawn bright steel

04 05

The EN 10277-2 and EN 10025 standards

define steels for general engineering purposes

as unalloyed steel grades, which in essence

are employed in steel construction and

mechanical engineering.

These steel grades can be adjusted to have

specific mechanical and technological properties.

These steel grades are determined according

to strength:

FN = rimming steel not permitted

FF = fully killed, with a sufficient content of

nitrogen binding elements; normalized

on request.

The following types of structural steels are

standardized under EN 10277-2:

S235JRC +C and +SH

E295GC +C and +SH

E335GC +C and +SH

S355J2C +C and +SH

This steel comes exclusively as round stock,

usually with a minimum diameter of 14 mm.

In comparison to rolled steel, the material

shows higher dimensional accuracy with a

bright, smooth surface.

Peeled bright steel is manufactured from

rolled or forged bar steel. It is subsequently

straightened and polished.

The chip removal during turning is calculated in

such way that unavoidable production-induced

surface flaws such as marks resulting from

rolling or cracks, pores, decarburization marks

and chips can be removed.

We supply peeled bright steel according to

EN 10278, with tolerance IT 11 or IT 9. Other

tolerances are supplied on request.

Ground bright steel is drawn or peeled round

stock, which comes with an improved surface

quality and higher dimensional accuracy

resulting from additional grinding and polishing.

This finish is therefore especially suitable for

lustre exhibiting surfaces.

The high dimensional stability of this steel is

of key significance when it is to be used for

machine parts requiring no further surface

treatment.

We supply ground bright steel according to

EN 10278 up to tolerance IT 6.

Peeled bright steel Ground bright steel Steels for general applications

Finish-ground and

tested bars are

individually

equipped with

spacer rings and

packaged manually.

06 07

Free cutting case hardening steels:

e.g. 10S20, 10SPb20, 15SMn13

Quenched and tempered free cutting steels:

e.g. 35S20, 36SMn14, 38SMn28, 44SMn28,

46S20

These steel grades are supplied cold-drawn as

standard. The following other finish conditions

can be agreed on when ordering:

+SH = peeled

or additionally heat-treated finishes:

+A = soft-annealed

+SR = stress-relieved

+QT = quenched and tempered

Case hardening steels according to EN 10277-4

and EN 10084 are grades with a relatively low

carbon content. These steel grades are used

with workpieces where the case is usually

carburized or carbonitrided before hardening.

This results in a significantly higher case

hardness while maintaining improved core zone

toughness.

Unalloyed case hardening steels are utilized

in the automotive industry and in general

mechanical engineering for low-stress parts

such as hubs, shafts and levers.

Depending on the alloy employed, alloyed case

hardening steels are needed for components

with medium or high core strength and

toughness. These include highly stressed

gears and control devices used in vehicle

manufacturing and aircraft construction.

Unalloyed steel grades:

e.g. C10E, C10R, C15E, C15R

Alloyed steel grades:

e.g. 16MnCr5, 20MnCr5, 20MoCr4:

other steel grades available on request.

Alloyed steel grades with controlled sulphur

content:

e.g. 16MnCrS5, 20MnCrS5, 20MoCrS4,

20NiCrMoS2-2

The following finish conditions are standard:

+C = drawn

+SH = peeled, ≥ 14 mm round

+A = soft-annealed

+TH = treated to achieve a special hardening

range

+FP = treated to achieve a ferrite-perlite

microstructure

+AC = spheroidized

These grades can partially be supplied with

0.15 % to 0.30 % extra lead content.

In comparison to sulphurized steel grades,

free cutting steels (EN 10277-3 and EN 10087)

display significantly improved machinability and

surface quality, enabling shorter production

times.

Soft free cutting steels:

e.g.11SMn30, 11SMnPb30, 11SMn37,

11SMnPb37

These grades can be supplied with added Te, Bi.

When ordering, heat treatment enabling specific

magnetic properties can be agreed on.

Case hardening steels Free cutting steels

08 09

Certifications on material testings are issued as

per EN 10204.

The content and the test to be certified have to

be agreed on at the ordering stage.

Standard finish conditions:

+C = drawn

+SH = peeled, ≥ 14 mm round

+SR = stress-relieved

+A = soft-annealed

+N = normalized

+QT = quenched and tempered

For improved machinability, these steel

grades can also be supplied with a lead

content between 0.15% and 0.30%.

Alloyed steels:

e.g. 38Cr2, 46Cr2, 34Cr4, 37Cr4, 41Cr4,

25CrMo4, 34CrMo4, 42CrMo4, 50CrMo4,

36CrNiMo4, 34CrNiMo6, 30CrNiMo8, 51CrV4.

The grades 38Cr2 to 42CrMo4 can be also

supplied as resulphurized with S = 0.020% up

to 0.040%. We supply other steel grades on

request.

Steels for cold heading and cold extrusion

(EN10263).

These steels are characterized by their good

cold formability after heat treatment.

The following finish conditions are possible:

+C = drawn

+SH = peeled ≥ 14 mm round

+A = soft-annealed

+FP = treated to achieve a ferrite-perlite

microstructure

+AC = spheroidized

Additional surface treatment such as

phosphatizing or polymer coating are

available on request.

Screw bolts for

wind turbine

rotor blades.

Quenched and tempered steels according to

EN 10277-5 and EN 10083 are grades especially

suitable for hardening. Through the application

of induction case hardening, they can be

specifically designed to feature paramount

wear resistance.

They are employed for highly stressed screws,

springs or piston rods where the combination

of high tensile strength, wear resistance and

toughness is of especially high significance.

Unalloyed steels:

e.g. C22 to C60, C22E to C60E, C22R to C60R

E = high-grade steel

R = high-grade steel with a controlled sulphur

content between 0.020% and 0.040%

Quenched and tempered steels Other steels

10 11

Special fixed and short lengths as well as special

edge finishes are supplied on request.

Admissible deviations from the nominal

dimension as per DIN/ISO tolerances common

for bright steel.

All tolerances up to tolerance class IT6 can be

supplied on request.

Special sections and flat steels can be supplied

on request in all finishes according to drawing or

sample.

Standard tolerance classes (example: h tolerance)

An extensive stock

combined with

the most modern

processing

machines such as

quad saws are

your guarantee

of customized

and prompt

manufacturing.

Our bright steel portfolio contains more than

5,000 items in some 400 material variations in

drawn, peeled and ground finishes.

The dimensional ranges of our bright steels

are:

drawn – between 4.5 mm and 80 mm round

turned – between 14 mm and 150 mm round

ground – between 4 mm and 125 mm round

squares, hexagons and octagons up to 80 mm

Dimensional limits are material dependent.

Key steel is available as per DIN 6880,

sharp-edged or with bevelled edges.

Special sections are supplied according to

drawings or samples.

Dimensions smaller than 22 mm also come

as spooled coils.

Product lengths are either according to DIN

provisions or as customary in the trade.

Finish condition

Drawn

Peeled

Ground

Polished

h6

R

R

h7

R

R

h8

R

R

h9

R

R

R

R

h10

R

R

R

R

h11

R, S, H

R

R

R

h12

R, S, H

R

R

R

Nominal dimension in mm

> 1 up to ≤ 3> 3 up to ≤ 6

> 6 up to ≤ 0> 10 up to ≤ 18> 18 up to ≤ 30> 30 up to ≤ 50> 50 up to ≤ 80> 80 up to ≤ 120>120 up to ≤ 180>180 up to ≤ 200

h6

0.006

0.008

0.009

0.011

0.013

0.016

0.019

0.022

0.025

0.029

h7

0.010

0.012

0.015

0.018

0.022

0.025

0.030

0.035

0.040

0.046

h8

0.014

0.018

0.022

0.027

0.033

0.039

0.046

0.054

0.063

0.072

h9

0.025

0.030

0.036

0.043

0.052

0.062

0.074

0.087

0.100

0.115

h10

0.040

0.048

0.058

0.070

0.084

0.100

0.120

0.140

0.160

0.185

h11

0.060

0.075

0.090

0.110

0.130

0.160

0.190

0.220

0.250

0.290

h12

0.100

0.120

0.150

0.180

0.210

0.250

0.300

0.350

0.400

0.460

The above tolerances are negative deviations from the nominal dimension. For example, a nominal diameter of 20 mm with

tolerance class h9 has a tolerance range of -0.052/+0 giving an acceptable product size range of 19.948 mm to 20.000 mm.

R = Round S = Square H = Hexagon

Dimensions

12 13

Tolerance class as per ISO 286-2

Tolerance class as per ISO 286-2

We offer a multitude of hot-rolled or drawn

special sections with cross sections between

30 mm2 and 190 mm2 as well as with

straightforward shapes up to a maximum of

250 mm2.

Our broad range of special sections includes

highly specific shapes.

Our efficient and modern facilities are well

suited to manufacturing customer-specific

special sections. On so-called winders, we

draw special sections and standard cross

sections from coil to coil which are pre-rolled

in our own conductive hot rolling mill.

We also supply specifically shaped sections

only pre-rolled to bar or coil.

Wide-ranging technical equipment alone with

all its harnessed potential does not guarantee

practical solutions. That is why for the

development of customized sections we,

provide you with an experienced team of

engineers, who deliver a solution for virtually

every kind of application.

Our production engineering facilities enable

the manufacture of special sections for a

multitude of different applications.

Our capability to manufacture extremely varied

shapes places us in a position to realize the

large majority of our customers’ requirements.

We supply all steels except the air hardening

varieties.

The weight per unit length is between 0.20 kg/m

and 2 kg/m and with especially favourable cross-

sectional shapes up to 3.9 kg/m.

The cost effective alternative for constructions

used in many application fields are bright drawn

special sections.

Flat

sections

Square

sections

sharp-edged or with

untreated edges

soft edges

R approx. 1/3 thickness

round faces

R approx. 1/2 thickness

round, smoothed down on

both sides

skewed edges, skewness

approx. 1/3 thickness

sharp-edged or with

untreated edges

chamfered on one side, sharp-

edged or with untreated edges

chamfered or softened on

all sides

30

33

35

35

33

14

14

15

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

200

220

340

340

340

200

200

230

A selection of our

hot-rolled or drawn

special shaped

sections.

Special sections production programme Special shaped sections

14 15

Section Sectional shape Widthmax.mm

Cross sectionmin.mm2

max.mm2

The combinations in end machining can be

selected as required between rough-turning,

centering, facing and end machining to

customer drawings on request.

We also offer the following supplementary

services: washing, length determination,

straightness testing, degaussing, weight

recording, stamping and packaging.

End machining unit. Red-hot steel on

its way through the

hardening system.

We provide bright steel cutting and end

machining at our integrated end machining

centre. Workpieces are processed with

diameters between 8 mm and 60 mm and

lengths between 25 mm and 2000 mm with

a maximum piece weight of 25 kg. Depending

on the machine used, the lengths which can

be cut are 10 mm, 50 mm or 120 mm.

Length tolerances are ± 0.15 mm or ± 0.25 mm –

likewise depending on the used machine.

In our short length production we manufacture

bright steel in segments of 25 mm to 2000 mm

for further processing according to our

customers’ demands. The steel is cut, deburred,

rough-turned, faced, chamfered, centered

and degreased on high-duty automatics. In

addition to the above, features relating to

process safeguarding can be checked.

Depending on customers’ needs, the

manufactured short pieces can be either

packaged as bulk freight or in customer-

owned containers by means of fully automatic

packaging systems. This enables both large

and small shipping units.

For specific customer demands and selected

applications, our bright steel products can be

submitted to heat treatment.

We are in the position to conduct stress relief

annealing, soft annealing, spheroidizing

and normalizing within a temperature range

between 560 °C and 900 °C in a controlled

atmosphere.

For highest demands on strength we can

quench and temper round and hexagonal

cross sections as well as tubes on our single

bar induction hardening systems.

These facilities enable the setting of mechanical

and technological properties, which cannot be

achieved through conventional means.Chamfering and

facing

Chamfering, facing

and centering

Tapping max. 30 mm

6 – 75 (100)

10 – 70

on request

8 – 40

8 – 36

8 – 70

10 – 70

on request

22.5°, 30°,

45°, 60°

22.5°, 30°,

45°, 60°

22.5°

2000 – 6000

2000 – 6000

2000 – 6000

End machining Manufacturing of short lengths Heat treatment

16 17

Standard with commercial lengths

+C (K), +SH (SH),+SL (SL)

Roundin mm

Squarein mm

Hexagonin mm

Chamfer Standardlength in mm

During the production of steel, the sporadic

occurrence of inner material flaws can generally

not be avoided. To ensure paramount

demands on the inner quality of the bright steel

are met, we can perform ultrasonic testing

which is a non-destructive pulse-reflection

technique.

Depending on the application, the ultrasonic

testing method we use places us in a position

to check for inclusions up to a disc shaped

reflector of maximum 0.7 mm (also called flat-

bottom hole).

Furthermore the inspection technique employed

with round cross sections of the entire volume

or the gross section allows for a detection field

of up to 0.10 mm underneath the surface with

readings starting from 5 mm lengths.

The differential connection is invariably aligned

with the coil scan direction and the rotating

probe (i.e. in the longitudinal direction of

the material with the encircling coils and

circumferential direction with the rotating

probe). This results in a heightened sensitivity

to varying flaw types. The encircling coil for

example shows a particular sensitivity to

short longitudinal flaws, transverse-oriented

flaws and local flaws such as holes and

chipped spots.

By contrast, the rotating probe is especially

sensitive to open longitudinal surface flaws

such as seams, lap seams and stress cracks.

To ensure efficient

production, at

SCHMOLZ +BICKENBACH both

automated eddy

current and

ultrasonic testing

have been

integrated into the

production line.

Depending on the cross section and the

specified recording limit, either a procedure

using encircling coils or one employing rotating

probes is applied to detect surface flaws.

With round cross sections, the two methods

can either be combined or used singularly.

Only encircling probes adjusted to the shape

in question can be utilized for non-round cross

sections.

Differential coils are predominantly employed

in eddy current surface testing to achieve the

necessary flaw resolution.

This test is one of today’s most rigorous

methods used on bright steel bars from both

a technical and economic standpoint. It allows

for readings below the maximum permissible

values as set in the currently effective EN

standards.

Typical applications which make extremely high

demands on the inner quality of the bright steel

are components used for common rail direct

fuel injection systems as well as motor and

gear components designed for fatigue

strength.

Eddy current testing Ultrasonic testing

18 19

So as to ensure that even the highest demands

are met – such as those of the automotive

industry – we have established a 'zero-fault

goal’ where priority is given to error avoidance

in production.

To maintain the sustainability of our philosophy,

we continuously optimize our process flows

and apply the following tools and methods:

project management and advance quality

planning

statistical process control (SPC)

process analysis and machine capability

studies

measurement systems analysis (MSA)

failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)

product, process and system audits

benchmarking

8D reports

first article inspection (in compliance with

PPAP, VDA and IMDS)

Furthermore SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH is

certified under EN ISO 9001:2000 by

Germanischer Lloyd Certification and ISO TS

16949 by Swiss Certification. We also have

acquired the ‘Q1 Preferred Quality Award’

from Ford.

Quality from a

single source. From

computer-operated

steel production

to quality control

techniques such as

magnaflux testing or

notched bar impact

tests, SCHMOLZ +BICKENBACH

offers worldwide

customized steel

solutions for every

steel grade.

Quality management

20 21

We employ the following analytical methodology

and equipment:

carbon sulphur (C/S) analyzer

chemical analyses by means of emission

spectrometry – both stationary and mobile

strength and toughness testing, applying

tensile and notched-bar impact tests at high

and low temperatures

Vickers, Brinell and Rockwell hardness

testing as well as microhardness testing

magnetic property measurement including

hysteresis

microstructure analysis, purity determination

and grain size measurements by means of

micro-sectional analysis

determination of inner material flaws using

ultrasonic testing

determination of outer material flaws by

means of magnaflux and eddy current testing

roughness testing

Using SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH materials

engineering, we can re-assure our clients of a

very reliable platform for customized and highly

qualitative steel and aluminium solutions.

Our technicians’ know-how guarantees that our

clients’ special requirements are fully understood,

enabling us to place the very best steel at their

disposal.

Our materials engineering department includes

the latest testing equipment empowering us to

carry out all the chemical, physical, mechanical

and technological tests necessary to determine

the characteristic properties of the following:

case-hardening, cold-heading and

free-cutting steels

general structural and quenched and

tempered steels

stainless, acid and heat-resistant steels

tool and high-speed steels

Materials engineering

An effective organizational structure and the

codifying of operational and work processes

ensure that the long-term business objectives

towards a responsible handling of resources

and environmental protection are pursued

without any exception whatsoever.

At SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH the responsible

handling of resources and the protection of

the environment are top priorities. In 2003 we

already began to establish a comprehensive

environmental management system (EMS) in

compliance with the ISO 14001 international

standard.

The ISO 14001:2004 certification held by

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Distributions GmbH

is also adhered to at all other SCHMOLZ +BICKENBACH locations, where regular internal

audit checks are made assuring the fulfilment

of the ISO requirements.

In accordance with the ISO 14001 environmental

standard, all company processes are analysed

and classified with respect to their environmental

compatibility. If necessary, measures are defined

to optimize the processes and then put into

practice on a continual basis.

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Automotive

Tel. +49 (0)211 5 09 – 2683

Fax +49 (0)211 5 09 – 2725

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Berlin

Tel. +49 (0)30 4 17 84 – 3

Fax +49 (0)30 4 17 84 – 450

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Bielefeld

Tel. +49 (0)521 2 08 83 – 0

Fax +49 (0)521 2 08 83 – 17

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Frankfurt

Tel. +49 (0)6033 7450 – 0

Fax +49 (0)6033 7450 – 32

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Chemnitz

Tel. +49 (0)37208 8 01 – 0

Fax +49 (0)37208 8 01 – 30

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Düsseldorf

Tel. +49 (0)211 5 09 – 2851

Fax +49 (0)211 5 09 – 2864

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Hamburg

Tel. +49 (0)40 75 60 51 – 0

Fax +49 (0)40 75 60 51 – 40

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH München

Tel. +49 (0)8141 53 461 – 0

Fax +49 (0)8141 53 461 – 81

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Nürnberg

Tel. +49 (0)911 8 33 05 – 0

Fax +49 (0)911 8 33 05 – 28

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Stuttgart

Tel. +49 (0)711 57 65 – 0

Fax +49 (0)711 57 65 – 106

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Trossingen

Tel. +49 (0)7425 22 03 – 0

Fax +49 (0)7425 22 03 – 33

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Europe GmbHTel. +49 (0)211 5 09 – 2558

Fax +49 (0)211 5 09 – 2706

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Distributions GmbH locations in GermanyManagement of environmental resources

22 23

German

administration,

central distribution

and bright steel

production in

Düsseldorf.

Our complete address list is to be found on our website: www.schmolz-bickenbach.de