SAE AISI 52100 Steel

What is 52100 Steel?

52100 alloy steels contain different varieties of steels that exceed the composition limits of Mn, C, Mo, Si, Ni, Va, and B set for carbon steels. They are designated by AISI four-digit numbers. They respond more quickly to mechanical and heat treatments than carbon steels.AISI 52100 alloy steel is known as a high carbon, chromium containing low alloy steel.

AISI SAE 52100 steel is a high carbon anti-friction bearing steel grade.

52100 Bearing Steel Data Sheet

The following table and lists show 52100 datasheet and specification including chemical composition, mechanical properties and heat treatment, etc.

AISI 52100 Steel Chemical Composition

The following table shows the chemical composition of AISI SAE 52100 steel.

	Chemical Composition %
Steel Grade (UNS)	C	Si	Mn	P ≤	S ≤	Cr	Mo ≤	Ni ≤	Cu ≤	O ≤	Al ≤
52100 (G52986)	0.93-1.05	0.15-0.35	0.25-0.45	0.025	0.015	1.35-1.60	0.10	0.25	0.30	0.0015	0.05

Physical Properties

AISI 52100 coefficient of linear thermal expansion
Value (10-6/K)	Temperature (°C)	Treatment or condition
11.9	0-100	Annealed
12.6		Hardened

52100 Steel Mechanical Properties

ASTM 52100 material hardness

• Hot rolled, annealed coils: ≤92 HRB
• Hot rolled annealed bars and tubes: ≤207 HBW
• Annealed, cold drawn coils: ≤92 HRB
• Annealed, cold drawn coils, bars and tubes: ≤248 HBW
• Annealed, cold rocked tubes: ≤331 HBW

AISI 52100 flame hardening

• 55-60 HRC (Quenchant: Air or oil)
• 62-64 HRC (Quenchant: Water)

Typical Heat Treatment

Annealing

Annealing temperature is 730-790 ℃ (1350-1450 ℉), furnace cooling.

Austenitizing

Austenitizing temperature is 855 ℃ (1575 ℉)

Martempering

Martempering temperature: 190 ℃ (375 ℉), Agent: Oil.

Martensitic

Heat treating cycle for martensitic hardening of 52100 bearing steel is as follows:

• The austenitizing temperature is 815-855 °C for 15-40 minutes, each additional inch of thickness increases by 30 minutes.
• Quenching temperature ≤ 150 °C agitated oil (martensite hardening); ≥ 230 °C molten salt (bainite hardening).
• Tempering temperature 150-230 °C for 2-4 hours (Rockwell hardness 58-64 HRC)

As-quenched Rockwell hardness after heat treatment is typically 64-67 HRC.

Machinability

AISI 52100 alloy steel can be machined using conventional techniques. The machinability of this steel can be improved by performing spherodizing annealing process at 649°C (1200°F) before machining.

Forming

AISI 52100 alloy steel can be formed using all conventional techniques such as cold forging or stamping and hot or cold upset forming techniques.

Forging

AISI 52100 alloy steel is forged at 927 to 1205°C (1700 to 2200°F).

Hot Working

AISI 52100 alloy steel can be hot worked at 205 to 538°C (400 to 1000°F).

Cold Working

AISI 52100 alloy steel can be cold worked using conventional techniques in the annealed or normalized conditions.

Hardening

AISI 52100 alloy steel is hardened by cold working, or heating and quenching. It can be carburized at 913°C (1675°F) followed by quenching. It is again heated at 788°C (1450°F) followed by quenching for the second time.

Applications

52100 bearing steel mainly used for bearings, bearing races, seal rings, balls, rollers, guide bars, sleeves knives and blades etc.

Equivalent Grades

AISI SAE 52100 bearing steel equivalent to ISO, European EN (Germany DIN, British BS, France NF) Japanese JIS and Chinese GB standard. (For reference)

52100 steel equivalent grades
US		ISO		European		Germany		Japan		China
Standard	Grade	Standard	Grade (Steel number)	Standard	Grade (Steel number)	Standard	Grade (Steel number)	Standard	Grade	Standard	Grade
AISI SAE; ASTM A295/A295M	52100	ISO 683-17	100Gr6 (1.3505)	EN ISO 683-17	100Gr6 (1.3505)	DIN EN ISO 683-17	100Gr6 (1.3505)	JIS G4805	SUJ2	GB/T 18254	GCr15