1.1 This specification covers hot-finished or cold-finished bars, except bars for forging (Note 1), suitable for machining processes. It includes rounds, squares, and hexagons in the more commonly used types of stainless free-machining steels designed especially for optimum machinability and for general corrosion and high-temperature service. Stainless steel bars other than the free-machining types are covered in a separate specification (Note 2).

1.2 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units and in SI units; however, unless the purchase order or contract specifies the applicable M specification designation (SI units), the inch-pound units shall apply. The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI (metric) units are to be regarded separately as standard: within the text and tables, the SI units are shown in [brackets]. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents: therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.