SAE 52100 Bearing Steel

Specification

Introduction

Classification

Advantages

Product Introduction

Bearing steel is a specialty alloy engineered to withstand extreme mechanical stress and repetitive loading in rotating applications. At IBC Group, we supply high-purity bearing steel that forms the critical foundation for reliable and long-lasting bearings.

Our product portfolio covers through-hardening grades for general bearing applications and case-hardening grades for heavy-duty or impact-resistant components. Strictly produced to international standards like ASTM A295 and ISO 683-17, our bearing steel ensures exceptional performance in ball bearings, roller bearings, gear shafts, and other precision machinery parts.

Certification: CE, RoHS

Shape: Ring, Shaft, Round Bar, Block, Sleeve, Wheel, Cylinder

Process: Hot Forging – Heat Treatment – CNC Machining

Packaging: Wooden package and canton case or as per customers’ requirement

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Classification Of Bearing Steel

Bearing steel is categorized based on its chemical composition and hardening method, each suited for specific applications:

Through-Hardening Bearing Steel SAE 52100 / 100Cr6

This high-carbon chromium steel is the most common grade. It achieves uniform hardness throughout the cross-section after heat treatment. It is primarily used for ball bearings, roller bearings, and thrust washers where consistent hardness is critical.

Case-Hardening Bearing Steel SAE 8620, 4320

These low-carbon nickel-chromium-molybdenum steels develop a hard, wear-resistant surface while maintaining a tough, ductile core. They are ideal for large-sized bearings, bearing rings, and gears subjected to heavy impact loads and surface stresses.

Stainless Bearing Steel 440C, X65Cr14

This martensitic stainless steel contains high chromium content, providing excellent corrosion resistance in addition to good hardness. It is specified for bearings in food processing, chemical, and marine applications where moisture or corrosive agents are present.

High-Temperature Bearing Steel M50, BG42

These alloy steels contain elements like molybdenum and cobalt that provide stability and resistance to tempering at elevated temperatures. They are used in aerospace engines, gas turbines, and high-speed machining spindles.

Technical Advantages of SAE 52100 Bearing Steel

Precise Chemical Composition

Our steel is produced to the strict chemical composition ranges defined by SAE J404 (C: 0.98-1.10%, Cr: 1.30-1.60%, Mn: 0.25-0.45%). This ensures consistent and predictable hardenability and microstructural properties.

Optimized Hardness Performance

When properly heat treated, SAE 52100 achieves a typical surface hardness range of 58-65 HRC, providing exceptional resistance to wear and abrasion, which is critical for extending bearing service life.

Superior Fatigue Resistance

The combination of high carbon and chromium content leads to the formation of fine, homogeneously distributed chromium carbides within a martensitic matrix. This microstructure is fundamental to achieving high contact fatigue strength and preventing premature failure modes like spalling.

High Degree of Purity

We utilize advanced ladle metallurgy and vacuum degassing processes to achieve ultra-low levels of oxygen and undesirable non-metallic inclusions. This high cleanliness directly correlates to improved fatigue performance and structural integrity.

Excellent Dimensional Stability

The fine-grained microstructure and controlled heat treatment processes minimize undesirable transformations and distortion during hardening, ensuring dimensional accuracy for precision-machined components.

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Grade	Size	Standard
GCr15, GCr9SiMn, GCr15SiMn	Φ12~180	GB
100Cr6, 100CrMnSi6-4, C55	Φ12~180	EN Standard
SUJ2, SUJ3, S50C, S55C, SCr420	Φ12~180	JIS Standard
SAE52100, SAE1055, SAE5120	Φ12~180	ASTM Standard