Composition & metallurgy

Classic through-hardening bearing steel is high-carbon chromium steel, while carburizing and stainless bearing grades serve different load and corrosion conditions.

Common grades

SAE 52100 / 100Cr6 is the best-known through-hardening grade; carburizing steels and stainless 440C are used for specialized bearings.

Applications

Ball and roller bearings, races, precision shafts, high-load rolling contacts and selected wear components.

Engineering characteristics

Non-metallic inclusion control and steel cleanliness are critical. Heat treatment must control hardness, retained austenite, carbide structure and distortion.

Known manufacturers

Sweden/Europe — Ovako; Japan — Sanyo Special Steel, Daido Steel, Nippon Steel-related specialty operations; China — CITIC Special Steel and specialist bearing-steel mills; India — alloy and bearing steel producers serving automotive and industrial markets.

Specification checks

Confirm the current standard revision, exact product form, heat-treatment condition, mechanical properties, impact requirements where applicable, corrosion environment, welding procedure, dimensions, tolerances, NDT and mill test certification. Similar designations across standards are not automatically equivalent.

Element Folio engineering reference. Manufacturer examples are indicative and product availability changes by plant, region and year.