E-Z Drill Plate – High-Performance Machinable Stainless Steel
Increase Your Drilling Speed and Feed Rates Up to 30% for Carbide Drilling with Sandmeyer E-Z Drill Stainless Steel Plate.
| 3/16" | 1/4" | 5/16" | 3/8" | 7/16" | 1/2" | 9/16" | 5/8" | 3/4" | 7/8" | 1" | 1 1/8" |
| 4.8mm | 6.3mm | 7.9mm | 9.5mm | 11.1mm | 12.7mm | 14.3mm | 15.9mm | 19mm | 22.2mm | 25.4mm | 28.6mm |
| 1 1/4" | 1 3/8" | 1 1/2" | 1 5/8" | 1 3/4" | 2" | 2 1/4" | 2 1/2" | 2 3/4" | 3" | 3 1/4" | 3 1/2" |
| 31.8mm | 34.9mm | 38.1mm | 41.3mm | 44.5mm | 50.8mm | 57.2mm | 63.5mm | 69.9mm | 76.2mm | 82.6mm | 88.9mm |
| 3 3/4" | 4" | 4 1/4" | 4 1/2" | 4 3/4" | 5" | 5 1/4" | 5 1/2" | 5 3/4" | 6" | ||
| 95.3mm | 101.6mm | 108mm | 114.3mm | 120.7mm | 127mm | 133.4mm | 139.7mm | 146.1mm | 152.4mm |
Sandmeyer Steel achieves improved machinability through a special ladle metallurgy of molten steel, enriched with a calcium treatment that controls the size, composition and distribution of oxide inclusions. These inclusions are key to the process – acting as lubricants that make it possible for you to significantly increase feed rates.
And E-Z Drill gives you the same yield, tensile, elongation, hardness, toughness and corrosion resistance you get from standard austenitic stainless steels.
Heat exchanger tube sheet drilled from Sandmeyer’s E-Z Drill plate.
THICKNESSES & GRADES
E-Z Drill is stocked in thicknesses of 3/8″ (4.8 mm) to 6″ (152.4 mm) and in types 304, 304H, 304L, 316 and 316L.
MATERIAL CERTIFICATIONS
E-Z Drill can be certified to ASTM, ASME and QQS-766 specifications.
INCREASED PERFORMANCE
If you’re using carbide drilling tools for drilling, reaming or grooving holes, E-Z Drill makes it possible to increase feed rates by as much as 30% without increasing drill wear.
| Hole Diameter | Normal Rate | E-Z Drill Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 2123 RPM - 16.9 IPM | 3032 ROM - 24.2 IPM |
| 3/4" | 1400 RPM - 11.2 IPM | 2000 RPM - 16.0 IPM |
| 1" | 1061 RPM - 8.5 IPM | 1516 RPM - 12.1 IPM |
| 1-1/4" | 850 RPM - 6.8 IPM | 1213 RPM - 9.7 IPM |
| 1-1/2" | 708 RPM - 5.6 IPM | 1011 RPM - 8.0 IPM |
EZ-Drill Stainless Steel – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is E-Z Drill stainless steel plate?
E-Z Drill is Sandmeyer Steel Company’s proprietary free-machining version of Types 304, 304H, 304L, 316, and 316L stainless steel plate. It is specifically engineered for enhanced machinability without compromising corrosion resistance, strength, or toughness.
2. How is E-Z Drill different from standard stainless steel plate?
Through a specialized ladle metallurgy process, Sandmeyer adds a calcium treatment that modifies oxide inclusions in the molten steel. These inclusions act like internal lubricants, allowing for significantly improved chip control and faster machining speeds — especially during drilling.
3. What grades and thicknesses are available?
E-Z Drill is stocked in:
• Thicknesses from 3/16″ (4.8 mm) to 6″ (152.4 mm)
• Available in 304, 304H, 304L, 316, and 316L stainless grades
4. What performance improvements can I expect from E-Z Drill?
In field tests using carbide insert drills, E-Z Drill consistently outperformed standard grades. Drilling feed rates improved by up to 30%, depending on hole size, without increasing tool wear.
Here are example results:
• 3/4″ hole: Standard = 1400 RPM at 11.2 IPM → E-Z Drill = 2000 RPM at 16.0 IPM
• 1-1/2″ hole: Standard = 708 RPM at 5.6 IPM → E-Z Drill = 1011 RPM at 8.0 IPM
5. Does E-Z Drill maintain the same mechanical and corrosion properties as standard grades?
Yes. Despite its enhanced machinability, E-Z Drill provides the same yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance as standard austenitic stainless steels.
6. Is E-Z Drill suitable for non-magnetic applications?
Yes. E-Z Drill is manufactured to maintain low magnetic permeability, making it ideal for applications where non-magnetic characteristics are important.
7. What certifications can E-Z Drill meet?
• ASTM A 240
• ASME SA 240
• AMS 5511/5513, 5524/5507
• QQS-766
8. What are the typical applications for E-Z Drill plate?
Sandmeyer Steel Company E-Z Drill plate is a good choice for machined components requiring heavy drilling, reaming, or grooving, including flanges, fittings, valves, and rings.
Contact a Sandmeyer Steel Company Expert