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Steel 100CrMn6 +A (Annealed)

Heat-treated state · default condition

EN 100CrMn6 · GB GCr15SiMn

Standard delivery condition for bars, tubes and rings — soft enough to turn/drill before through hardening.

Budget cost $

Values for the +A condition

Other 100CrMn6 tempers and conditions

100CrMn6 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 100CrMn6.

Compare all 8 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
+ADefaultThis page
Annealed
Standard delivery condition for bars, tubes and rings — soft enough to turn/drill before through hardening.41066022200 HB44 W/m·K
Normalized
Used after forging to break up carbide networks and homogenize structure before spheroidizing.5209001229 HRC6 % IACS
Hot rolled
Mill-edge stock for forging or ring rolling; hard, unmachined, must be spheroidize annealed before machining.5509501231 HRC6 % IACS
Cold drawn
Bright drawn bar with close diameter tolerance and good surface for automatic-lathe parts prior to hardening.6207801021 HRC6 % IACS
TH + S2
For elevated-temperature bearings up to ~200 °C, trading some hardness and load rating for stability.1,6501,9501.557 HRC5 % IACS
TH + S1
Choose when the bearing runs up to ~150 °C and dimensional stability matters more than peak hardness.1,7802,100159 HRC5 % IACS
Bainite hardened (austempered ~230 °C), 58–62 HRC
Pick for large rings and shock/contaminated-lubrication service: compressive surface stresses, higher toughness, less distortion than martensitic hardening.1,8202,150260 HRC5 % IACS
through hardened (830–860 °C oil/salt quench) + tempered 160–180 °C
Standard finished bearing condition: maximum contact-fatigue life and wear resistance for service below ~120 °C.1,9002,2500.562 HRC36 W/m·K

What is 100CrMn6 +A?

100CrMn6 +A is 100CrMn6 heat treated to +A — standard delivery condition for bars, tubes and rings — soft enough to turn/drill before through hardening. 100CrMn6 +A has a yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 100CrMn6 +A has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 99% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 6 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades

100CrMn6 +A properties

Typical room-temperature values for 100CrMn6 +A; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 100CrMn6 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

100CrMn6 +A has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).

Density7.81 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,400°C2,552 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,450°C2,642 °F

Mechanical16

100CrMn6 +A has a yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)660 MPa95.7 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)410 MPa59.5 ksi
Elongation at Break22%
Reduction in Area48%
Compressive Strength700 MPa102 ksi
Shear Strength430 MPa62.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)320 MPa46.4 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell200 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B94 HRB
Hardness, Vickers210 HV

Thermal6

100CrMn6 +A is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

100CrMn6 +A conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity6 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.65 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air and water, attacked by acids and chloride solutions; requires oil film, phosphating, black oxide or plating. Compatible with mineral/synthetic bearing oils and greases.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 100CrMn6 +A takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

100CrMn6 +A's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability fair (40/100).

MachinabilityFair45/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)35%
WeldabilityNot recommended12/100
Formability (cold)Fair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair40/100
PolishabilityExcellent85/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use black oxide, phosphating, zinc or chrome plating instead

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated85 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated26.9 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated400 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated12.2 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated12

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 100CrMn6 +A

Is 100CrMn6 easy to machine?

Machine only in the spheroidize-annealed condition with sharp carbide tooling and rigid setups (~35 % of AISI 1212); once hardened above 58 HRC use grinding, honing or CBN hard turning.

Can 100CrMn6 be welded?

Effectively non-weldable (1 %C): if repair is unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen or Ni-based filler and re-anneal immediately.

Can 100CrMn6 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1050–850 °C then slow-cool/normalize and spheroidize; cold ring rolling and cold heading only from the fully annealed state.

What surface finishes work on 100CrMn6?

Not anodizable — protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or hard chrome; the clean fine-carbide microstructure superfinishes to Ra <0.05 µm raceways.

100CrMn6 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CGB/T 18254 GCr15SiMn: 0.95–1.050.93 – 1.051
Si0.45 – 0.750.6
MnEN: 1.00–1.200.95 – 1.251.1
Cr1.4 – 1.651.5
Moresidual≤ 0.10.03
Niresidual≤ 0.30.1
Curesidual≤ 0.30.1
P≤ 0.030.01
S≤0.025 in some grades≤ 0.020.01
Ototal oxygen, cleanliness requirement≤ 08×10⁻⁴
Febalance—

100CrMn6 +A — frequently asked

What is 100CrMn6 +A used for?

100CrMn6 +A is typically used for large bearing rings, heavy-duty rollers and wind turbine bearings. In short: deeper-hardening 100Cr6; 60–64 HRC raceways; large-section bearing steel.

What is the yield strength of 100CrMn6 +A?

100CrMn6 +A has a typical yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is 100CrMn6 +A easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine only in the spheroidize-annealed condition with sharp carbide tooling and rigid setups (~35 % of AISI 1212); once hardened above 58 HRC use grinding, honing or CBN hard turning.

Can 100CrMn6 +A be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Effectively non-weldable (1 %C): if repair is unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen or Ni-based filler and re-anneal immediately.

What surface finishes work on 100CrMn6 +A?

Not anodizable — protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or hard chrome; the clean fine-carbide microstructure superfinishes to Ra <0.05 µm raceways.

Can 100CrMn6 +A be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1050–850 °C then slow-cool/normalize and spheroidize; cold ring rolling and cold heading only from the fully annealed state.

What is the maximum service temperature of 100CrMn6 +A?

100CrMn6 +A is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 100CrMn6 +A and 100CrMn6-BH?

+A is the default condition — standard delivery condition for bars, tubes and rings — soft enough to turn/drill before through hardening. BH: pick for large rings and shock/contaminated-lubrication service: compressive surface stresses, higher toughness, less distortion than martensitic hardening. Yield strength is 410 MPa in +A versus 1,820 MPa in BH.

Sources

  1. EN ISO 683-17 Heat-treatable steels — Part 17: Ball and roller bearing steels — ISO/CEN (2014)
  2. DIN 17230 / Werkstoff-Nr. 1.3520 (100CrMn6) — DIN (1980)
  3. GB/T 18254 (GCr15SiMn) — SAC (2016)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (bearing steels) — ASM International (1990)
  5. Bearing steel grade data (100Cr6 / 100CrMnSi6-4) — Ovako / Sandvik / Böhler (2022)
  6. GCr15SiMn — Mysteel / 1688 (2025)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.