{"id":9302,"date":"2025-08-01T16:33:26","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T08:33:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aobosteel.com\/?page_id=9302"},"modified":"2026-01-28T22:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T14:53:11","slug":"52100-bearing-steel","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aobosteel.com\/ko\/52100-bearing-steel\/","title":{"rendered":"52100 Bearing Steel | 1.3505 | 100Cr6"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Home<\/mark> <\/a>> Tool Steel Catalog<\/mark> <\/u><\/a>> 52100 Bearing Steel<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Aobo Steel | Global Tool Steel Supplier in China<\/em><\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n

AISI 52100 Bearing Steel | 1.3505 | 100Cr6 High Carbon Chromium Alloy Steel<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u2713Surface: Black Scale, Turned, Mill Finish, or Polished<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Quick Inquiry For 52100 Material<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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52100 is a high-carbon chromium bearing steel characterized by high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and good fatigue strength. Its primary application is in the manufacture of bearings (ball bearings and roller bearings). It is also commonly used for cutting tools and cutting edges, as well as gauges, rollers, and other mechanical components that require high hardness and wear resistance. Equivalent grades include China (GB) GCr15<\/a>, Germany (DIN) 100Cr6 (or 1.3505), and Japan (JIS) SUJ2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Composition of 52100 Bearing Steel1<\/a><\/sup><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
C<\/td>Mn<\/td>P<\/td>S<\/td>Si<\/td>Cr<\/td><\/tr>
0.98-1.10<\/td>0.25-0.45<\/td>0.025<\/td>0.025<\/td>0.15-0.35<\/td>1.30-1.60<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Properties of 52100 Bearing Steel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This section outlines the key characteristics of AISI\/SAE 52100 steel that make it a preferred material in various industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hardness Potential and Heat Treatment Response<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the standout properties of 52100 bearing steel is its exceptional hardness capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Achievable Hardness:<\/strong> With appropriate heat treatment, 52100 steel consistently achieves a hardness of 60 to 64 HRC throughout its section. For example, a 1-inch-thick piece can reach approximately 60 HRC when tempered around 204\u00b0C (400\u00b0F).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Bearing Applications:<\/strong> For critical ball bearing components, a minimum hardness of 62 HRC is typically specified and achieved after hardening and tempering.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Hot Hardness:<\/strong> It\u2019s important to consider that the hot hardness of 52100 steel decreases notably as operating temperatures rise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    2.1 Microstructure Characteristics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The microstructure of 52100 steel after correct heat treatment is fundamental to its performance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Typical Structure:<\/strong> It primarily consists of high-carbon martensite with finely dispersed primary (undissolved) spherical carbides. A retained austenite content of 5-10% is also typical.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Wear Resistance Contribution:<\/strong> For bearing applications, 52100 steel is intentionally austenitized below its Acm temperature. This process encourages the formation of cementite carbide arrays within the final martensitic structure, significantly enhancing wear resistance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Cleanliness:<\/strong> A clean microstructure, free from excessive inclusions, is crucial, especially for applications that require highly polished surfaces, such as dies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      2.2 Core Mechanical Strengths of 52100 Steel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      52100 alloy steel is engineered for high load-bearing capacity and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Mechanical Property<\/strong><\/td>Typical Value \/ Characteristic for 52100 Steel<\/strong><\/td>Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
      Classification<\/strong><\/td>High-carbon, chromium, low-alloy, through-hardening<\/td>Standard for bearing applications<\/td><\/tr>
      Achievable Hardness<\/strong><\/td>60-64 HRC<\/td>Min. 62 HRC for hardened ball bearings<\/td><\/tr>
      Tensile Strength (Hot Rolled)<\/strong><\/td>930 MPa (135 ksi)<\/td>As-supplied condition<\/td><\/tr>
      Yield Strength (Hot Rolled)<\/strong><\/td>570 MPa (83 ksi)<\/td>As-supplied condition<\/td><\/tr>
      Tensile Strength (Oil Quenched, Not Drawn)<\/strong><\/td>1515 MPa (220 ksi)<\/td>Illustrates hardening potential<\/td><\/tr>
      Yield Strength (Oil Quenched, Not Drawn)<\/strong><\/td>965 MPa (140 ksi)<\/td>Illustrates hardening potential<\/td><\/tr>
      Bending Strength<\/strong><\/td>Approx. 2400 MPa (240 kgf\/mm\u00b2)<\/td>Recommended for ball bearing applications<\/td><\/tr>
      Elastic Modulus (Young\u2019s)<\/strong><\/td>Approx. 210 GPa<\/td>Stiffness of the material<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      2.3 Fatigue Performance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      High fatigue life is a critical property of 52100 bearing steel<\/strong>, particularly for components such as journal bearings subjected to cyclic loading. The fatigue resistance can be influenced by factors such as inclusion content and the precision of heat treatment. Quality control, including fatigue testing, is paramount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2.4 Wear Resistance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      52100 steel demonstrates good wear resistance. This is significantly enhanced by the presence of very small, hard cementite particles that are uniformly distributed within the microstructure after optimal heat treatment. Specialized treatments, like duplex processes, can further improve wear characteristics compared to standard chromizing or other alloy steels like 8620 in certain conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2.5 Hardenability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Thanks to its chromium content, 52100 steel possesses good hardenability. This allows it to achieve consistent hardness through its cross-section in parts up to approximately 1 inch thick. Its hardenability is comparable to that of 5280 steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2.6 Machinability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      For the best machining outcomes and to ensure a uniform response during subsequent hardening processes, a spheroidized microstructure is highly recommended for 52100 steel. This condition improves tool life and surface finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2.7 Material Cleanliness and Quality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      High-quality 52100 bearing steel<\/strong> is produced with a strong emphasis on internal soundness, cleanliness, and uniform chemical composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Inclusion Control:<\/strong> For critical applications, such as ball bearings, very low levels of non-metallic inclusions (e.g., Types A, B, C, D) and minimal oxygen content are essential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Melting Processes:<\/strong> Advanced melting techniques such as consumable-electrode vacuum melting (CEVM) or electroslag remelting (ESR) can provide the exceptionally clean microstructure required for demanding applications like polished dies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Casting Considerations:<\/strong> When producing 52100 steel via modern continuous casting, insufficient homogenizing cycles can lead to segregation and undesirable carbide distributions, negatively impacting its properties and heat treatment response.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Standards:<\/strong> ASTM A 535 covers special quality alloy steel billets, bars, tube rounds, rods, and tubes intended for manufacturing antifriction bearings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        2.8 Dimensional Stability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Achieving very high dimensional stability in 52100 steel components requires precise control over the heat treatment process. It can be sensitive to distortion, and tempering to a lower hardness might be necessary compared to some advanced steels if ultimate stability is the primary goal. Incorrect austenitizing temperatures or tempering practices can lead to cracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        2.9 Weldability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        It is important to note that 52100 bearing steel is generally considered nonweldable due to its high carbon content, which makes it prone to cracking during and after welding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        2.10 Toughness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        When correctly oil quenched from around 850\u00b0C (1560\u00b0F) to achieve a microstructure of dispersed spherical carbides in tempered martensite, 52100 steel exhibits good toughness. This can be assessed using standard tests like Charpy V-notch impact energy and plane-strain fracture toughness (KIc). Studies have shown that 52100 bainite can offer higher impact toughness compared to some powder-forged steels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        \"52100<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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