Steel 52100 vs GCr15
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 52100 and GCr15 are both steel grades, both bearing steel. Both yield at about 415 MPa — strength does not separate them. 52100 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for GCr15. On the shop floor, GCr15 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 52100 (premium, $$$).
52100Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
GCr15Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
52100 vs GCr15: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Reduction in Area 45% · Hardness, Brinell 195 HB · Hardness, Vickers 205 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.81 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 40% · Castability 25 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Modulus of Resilience 420 kJ/m³
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 52100 | GCr15 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
52100 vs GCr15 — frequently asked
What is the difference between 52100 and GCr15?
Steel 52100 and GCr15 are both steel grades, both bearing steel. Both yield at about 415 MPa — strength does not separate them. 52100 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for GCr15.
Which is cheaper, 52100 or GCr15?
GCr15 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 52100 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 52100 or GCr15?
GCr15, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for 52100.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 52100 and GCr15 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.