Carbide former; metallurgical use as alloying element for deoxidation, denitriding and desulphurization, as it leaves minimal deoxidation products behind. Additions or Zr to fully deoxidized sulphur-bearing free-cutting steels have a favourable effect on sulphide formation and thus prevention of red shortness. It increases the life of heating conductor materials and produces restriction of the γ-phase.