BS 970 GENERAL ENGINEERING & MACHINING LOW CARBON STEEL

EN 3B Free Cutting Steel

We are EN 3B Free Cutting Steel Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Exporters in Mumbai, India. STEEL MART is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company established in 1986, with decades of experience in supplying high-quality engineering steel products to various industries. We specialize in manufacturing and supplying EN 3B Low Carbon Steels (BS 970 070M20 / EN3B / DIN C22 / W.Nr 1.0402 / AISI 1020 / SAE 1020 / JIS S20C) that meet national and international quality standards for general engineering shafts, turned components, welded structural assemblies, spacers, and case-hardened pins. EN 3B Steel is a low-carbon general engineering steel specified under British Standards (BS 970) for applications requiring a well-balanced combination of good machinability, superior weldability, and reliable core toughness. Formulated with 0.15–0.25% Carbon, 0.60–0.90% Manganese, and 0.10–0.35% Silicon, EN 3B provides consistent turning, drilling, and threading performance across automatic and manual lathes. In cold drawn supply condition (+C), EN 3B delivers high dimensional accuracy, uniform bar straightness, and improved yield strength (320–440 MPa). It also responds exceptionally well to gas carburizing or pack hardening when a wear-resistant surface case (55–60 HRC) is required over a ductile, shock-absorbing core. Because of its versatility, ease of fabrication, and economic cost, EN 3B Steel is widely specified across general machinery manufacturing, automotive linkages, agricultural equipment, welded fixtures, and industrial plant maintenance.

Our EN 3B Free Cutting Steels are 100% Prime – Tested & Guaranteed, ensuring precise chemical composition, dimensional accuracy, and consistent mechanical performance. Each product is supplied with proper Mill Test Certificates (MTC) confirming compliance with BS 970 / EN 10277 standards with EN 10204 3.1 certification. STEEL MART follows strict quality control procedures and ensures timely delivery.

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40+ Years Experience
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What is EN 3B Free Cutting Steel

What is EN 3B Free Cutting Steel?

EN 3B Steel (BS 970 070M20 / EN3B / DIN C22 / W.Nr 1.0402 / AISI 1020 / SAE 1020) is a low-carbon general engineering steel specified under British Standards (BS 970) for general structural, machining, and welded applications. Formulated with 0.15–0.25% Carbon, 0.60–0.90% Manganese, and 0.10–0.35% Silicon, EN 3B delivers good machinability (approx 70–75% rating), easy cold forming, and superior weldability by MIG, TIG, and arc welding methods. In cold drawn supply condition (+C), EN 3B offers enhanced yield strength (320–440 MPa), high dimensional precision, and a smooth bright finish suitable for direct component assembly. When case hardened / carburized at 880°C–920°C, EN 3B forms a hard wear-resistant outer case (55–60 HRC) while maintaining a resilient, shock-absorbing core. It is widely specified for general engineering shafts, turned pins, spacers, studs, keys, light gears, welded frames, and industrial machinery components.

✔ General Engineering Low Carbon Steel (BS 970 070M20 / DIN C22)
✔ Good Machinability Rating (70–75%) for General Lathe Turning
✔ Outstanding Weldability Without Preheating or Post-Weld Heat Treatment
✔ High Bar Straightness & Precise Cold Drawn Tolerances (+C)
✔ Responds Well to Carburizing for Wear-Resistant Pins & Shafts
✔ Global Equivalents: DIN C22 / W.Nr 1.0402 / AISI 1020

75% Machinability

Smooth turning, drilling, & thread cutting on CNC and capstan lathes.

100% Weldable

Easily welded by MIG, TIG, and arc processes without preheating.

Ductile Core

Absorbs shock & vibration in general machinery & structural assemblies.

450–600 MPa Tensile

Cold drawn (+C) condition provides improved strength & tight bar tolerances.

Carburizing Response

Responds to case hardening for wear-resistant surface layers (55–60 HRC).

Engineering Shafts

Universal choice for turned shafts, turned pins, spacers, studs, & keys.

Why Choose STEEL MART for EN 3B Free Cutting Steel

STEEL MART is the preferred choice for purchasing EN 3B Free Cutting Steel due to its strong reputation for quality and reliability. With over 40 years of experience in the steel industry, the company ensures that every product meets strict industry standards. The company follows strict quality inspection procedures to ensure that every EN 3B Steel product meets international standards.

Each product is carefully tested to ensure durability, strength, and performance. Customers trust STEEL MART for consistent quality, competitive pricing, and timely delivery. The company maintains a large inventory to meet urgent and bulk requirements efficiently. In addition to EN 3B Steels, STEEL MART also supplies a wide range of free-cutting, alloy steel, and carbon steel products for various industrial applications.

Chemical Composition of EN 3B Free Cutting Steel

Element Composition (%)
Carbon (C) 0.15 – 0.25 %
Manganese (Mn) 0.60 – 0.90 %
Silicon (Si) 0.10 – 0.35 %
Sulphur (S) 0.050 % Max
Phosphorus (P) 0.040 % Max

Balanced Carbon (0.15-0.25%) and Manganese (0.60-0.90%) deliver good strength, machinability, and weldability.

Equivalent Grades of EN 3B Free Cutting Steel

Standard Equivalent Grade
BS 970 070M20 / 080A15 / EN3B
DIN / EN C22 / 1.0402 / C20
AISI / SAE AISI 1020 / SAE 1020
JIS S20C
ISO C22

These international equivalents ensure global engineering specification compatibility.

Mechanical Properties of EN 3B Free Cutting Steel (Cold Drawn)

The mechanical properties of EN 3B Free Cutting Steels make them ideal for turned shafts, spacers, studs, keys, pins, and light structural assemblies. In cold drawn condition (+C), EN 3B delivers high tensile strength and reliable ductility.

Tensile Strength 450 - 600 MPa
Yield Strength 320 - 440 MPa
Elongation (A5) 15 - 22 %
Hardness (HBW) 130 - 175 HBW
Machinability Rating 70 - 75 % (Relative to 1212)

Manufacturing & Cold Processing of EN 3B Free Cutting Steel

EN 3B Free Cutting Steel bars undergo hot rolling, descaling, precision cold drawing (+C), and optional carburizing to form high-integrity engineering parts.

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Hot Rolling (1050°C - 1150°C)

Primary hot rolling into round, hex, and square bar profiles with controlled structure refinement.

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Shot Blasting & Pickling

Surface descaling to remove oxide scale prior to cold drawing operations.

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Precision Cold Drawing (+C)

Drawn through carbide dies to increase yield strength and establish h9 / h10 bar tolerances.

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Carburizing / Machining

Machined into turned shafts, pins, or carburized (880°C-920°C) for wear-resistant surfaces.

EN 3B Industry Applications

EN 3B Free Cutting Steels are widely used across General Machinery Shafts, Automotive Turned Components, Spacers, Keys, Pins, and Welded Fixtures.

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General Engineering Turned Shafts

General purpose turned shafts, drive spindles, armatures, & machine tool shafts.

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Spacers, Bushings & Studs

Precision turned spacers, wear bushes, tie studs, threaded rods, & dowel pins.

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Automotive Linkages & Pins

Shifter rods, pedal pivot shafts, linkage pins, door hinge pins, & steering studs.

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Welded Machinery Frames & Fixtures

Welded structural frames, mounting brackets, conveyor shafts, & hydraulic fittings.

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Electrical & Appliance Components

Motor shafts, generator rotors, transformer studs, & electrical enclosure fittings.

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Agricultural Machinery Spares

Tractor linkage pins, PTO shafts, cultivator pins, & general farm equipment spares.

Availability and Customization

At STEEL MART, we supply EN 3B Free Cutting Steels in a wide range of sizes and specifications.

Profiles Available Round Bars, Hexagon Bars, Square Bars, & Flat Bars
Diameter / Size Round: 5 mm to 200 mm | Hex: 6 mm to 75 mm AF | Square: 6 mm to 100 mm
Condition Supplied in Cold Drawn (+C), Hot Rolled, or Turned condition
Length Standard lengths from 3 meters to 6 meters
Tolerances h9, h10, or h11 precision drawn tolerance per ISO / DIN 175
Customization Band-saw cut-to-length and chamfered bar ends available upon request
Certification Supplied with 100% Prime Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1)

Our strict quality control ensures consistent chemical composition and machining performance.

Enquire For Rates ✉

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Conclusion

EN 3B Free Cutting Steel (BS 970 070M20 / EN3B / DIN C22 / W.Nr 1.0402 / AISI 1020 / SAE 1020) is a premier general engineering low-carbon steel widely specified across general machinery shafts, turned pins, spacers, studs, keys, automotive linkages, and welded structural assemblies. Combining balanced carbon content (0.15–0.25%) for good strength, 75% machinability rating, excellent weldability without preheating, and good carburizing response in cold drawn condition (+C), it provides versatile and reliable performance for engineering components. Supplied by STEEL MART with strict quality inspection and full EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certification, EN 3B Steel is an outstanding general engineering grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers regarding EN 3B Free Cutting Steel specifications and parameters.

EN 3B contains 0.15–0.25% Carbon, 0.60–0.90% Manganese, 0.10–0.35% Silicon, max 0.050% Sulphur, and max 0.040% Phosphorus.

EN 3B provides a balanced combination of 70–75% machinability rating, excellent weldability, good cold formability, and reliable core toughness in cold drawn (+C) supply condition.

EN 3B (BS 970 070M20) is equivalent to German DIN C22 (W.Nr 1.0402) and American AISI 1020 / SAE 1020, offering matching chemical composition and mechanical properties.

General engineering turned shafts, spacers, studs, keys, pins, automotive linkage rods, electrical motor shafts, and welded structural frames.

STEEL MART supplies EN 3B in round bars, hexagon bars, square bars, and flat bars in Cold Drawn (+C), Hot Rolled, or Turned condition with EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates.