SAE52100 Bearing Steel Balls

All of the above are common ways of describing the most widely used material for the manufacture of precision steel balls. It is a through hardening, fine grain, Martensitic steel. Because of its high hardness and fine grain structure, this material can be finished to an extremely fine quality.
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Hardness
Using our standard heat treating procedure, this material will harden to a minimum of 60 on the Rockwell “C” scale (60 HRC). The hardness may be measured between parallel ground flats. If the reading is taken on a spherical surface, it is corrected for the curve. The HRC scale uses 150 Kilogram Load ( approximately 330 lb. ) applied to a conical diamond brale indenter. This material is commonly used for gauge ( gage ) balls. This material is considered a Ferrous Metal.

Density
The density of this material, chrome steel, is .283 pounds per cubic inch ( 7.85 g/ cm³ ).

Magnetic
This material is strongly attracted by a magnetic field.

Machinability
In the hardened condition, this material can be ground, honed, and lapped using conventional abrasives. It can be shaped and drilled using electrical discharge machining or ultrasonic cavitation. In the annealed condition, this material can be machined using normal techniques.

Weldability
Because this material has 1% carbon, it does not weld well. It can be resistance welded with difficulty. It can be soft soldered with a high tin solder using an acid flux. It can be silver soldered or brazed; but the heat will cause distortion of the ball and a loss of hardness. For light load applications, the ball can be attached with an adhesive such as epoxy. When adhesive bounding is used, an area on the ball should be roughed up by etching or abrasive blasting. The area should be thoroughly cleaned.

Chrome steel balls will rust if they are in contact with water. Consider using stainless steel balls or brass balls in a wet environment.

All of the above are common ways of describing the most widely used material for the manufacturer of precision steel balls. It is a through hardening, fine grain, Martensitic steel. Because of its high hardness and fine grain structure, this material can be finished to an extremely fine quality.

Application areas:
Gcr15 bearing steel balls are used for high-speed and low-noise bearings, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, slide rails, universal balls, luggage, electronics industry, and can also be used to grind other media.

Characteristic:
Magnetic, ferritic steel, oily packaging, HRC60-66.

AISI 52100/GCr15 Chemical Composition %
C 0.95-1.05
Si 0.15-0.35
Mn 0.25-0.45
P 0-0.025
S 0-0.020
Cr 1.4-1.65

The accuracy grade is G10-G1000 with size range 1.2mm-25.4mm.