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).