Steel 52100 Normalized
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 52100 · UNS G52986 · ASTM A295 · EN 1.3505, 100Cr6 · JIS SUJ2
Intermediate treatment used to break up carbide networks in forgings before spheroidize annealing; not a service condition.
Values for the Normalized condition
Other 52100 tempers and conditions
52100 is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at 52100.
- Annealed
- Hot Rolled
- Cold Drawn
- Normalized
- Q&T 45-50 HRC
- Q&T 55-58 HRC
- Austempered
- Q&T + Stabilized
- Q&T 58-62 HRC
- Q&T
- Q&T 60-64 HRC
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault spheroidize annealed (≤207 HB), standard supply condition | Default stock condition for bars and tubes: soft, machinable and cold-formable, to be hardened after machining. | 415 | 690 | 25 | 195 HB | — |
as-rolled bar, not annealed | Cheapest mill condition for large bars that will be re-annealed or hot forged; hardness too high and structure too coarse for direct machining. | 550 | 950 | 12 | 29 HRC | 7 % IACS |
annealed then cold drawn/turned-ground-polished bar | Choose for close-tolerance shafts, pins and rollers machined to size before hardening; better surface and straightness than hot-rolled. | 620 | 780 | 10 | 220 HB | 46 W/m·K |
NormalizedThis page austenitized and air cooled (structure refinement before spheroidizing) | Intermediate treatment used to break up carbide networks in forgings before spheroidize annealing; not a service condition. | 700 | 1,200 | 8 | 36 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Quenched and high tempered ~400–450 °C | Use when moderate hardness with usable toughness and some machinability is wanted (spacers, sleeves, tooling details). | 1,350 | 1,550 | 6 | 48 HRC | 6.5 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered ~250–300 °C | Slightly tempered-back condition for shock-loaded rollers, cams and punches needing a little more toughness than 60 HRC. | 1,750 | 2,000 | 3 | 57 HRC | 6 % IACS |
isothermally quenched to lower bainite (~58–60 HRC) | Bainitic route for large or contaminated-lubrication bearings: similar hardness to martensite but higher toughness, compressive surface stress and less distortion/cracking. | 1,800 | 2,100 | 3 | 59 HRC | — |
Hardened and dimensionally stabilized | Specify for gauges, spindles and bearings running at 150–250 °C where retained-austenite decay and growth must be eliminated; hardness drops a few HRC. | 1,800 | 2,100 | 2 | 58 HRC | 6 % IACS |
Quenched, tempered ~160–180 °C | Named hardness band for balls, rollers, races and ground shafts where wear and RCF life dominate. | 1,850 | 2,200 | 1.5 | 60 HRC | 6 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Standard hardened bearing condition: maximum hardness, compressive strength and rolling-contact fatigue life; grind only, keep below ~150 °C. | 1,900 | 2,250 | 1.5 | 60 HRC | 43 W/m·K |
Quenched, low tempered ~150 °C | Pick for gauge blocks, dies, cutting/burnishing tools and precision balls needing peak hardness; toughness is minimal. | 2,050 | 2,400 | 1 | 62 HRC | — |
What is 52100 Normalized?
52100 Normalized is 52100 heat treated to Normalized — intermediate treatment used to break up carbide networks in forgings before spheroidize annealing; not a service condition. 52100 Normalized has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi). 52100 Normalized has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of steel grades. It melts at 1,424°C (2,595 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Normalized is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High strength — 700 MPa (102 ksi), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
52100 Normalized properties
Typical room-temperature values for 52100 Normalized; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 52100 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
52100 Normalized has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of steel grades. It melts at 1,424°C (2,595 °F).
Mechanical15
52100 Normalized has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi).
Thermal6
52100 Normalized is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
52100 Normalized conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 52100 Normalized takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
52100 Normalized's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 52100 Normalized
Is 52100 easy to machine?
Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition (~40 % of AISI 1212) with carbide tooling and rigid setups; once hardened above ~55 HRC use grinding, honing or CBN hard turning with 0.1–0.3 mm allowance for post-heat-treat finishing.
Can 52100 be welded?
Essentially unweldable — ~1 % C gives hard, crack-prone martensite; if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen/austenitic filler and immediately post-weld temper.
Can 52100 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold ball-forming, roll-forming and tube drawing are done only from fully spheroidized stock; otherwise hot forge at 1050–1150 °C, stop above ~850 °C and slow cool then spheroidize anneal to avoid carbide networks and quench cracks.
What surface finishes work on 52100?
No corrosion resistance: protect with oil, black oxide, manganese phosphate, zinc or thin dense chrome; hardened surfaces lap and superfinish to mirror Ra <0.02 µm — avoid burning during grinding to prevent re-tempering.
52100 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A295; GB/T 18254 GCr15 0.95–1.05 | 0.93 – 1.05 | 1 |
| Cr | 1.35 – 1.6 | 1.45 |
| Mn | 0.25 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Obearing quality: total oxygen typically ≤12 ppm | ≤ 0 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
52100 Normalized — frequently asked
What is 52100 Normalized used for?
52100 Normalized is typically used for ball bearings, roller bearings and rollers. In short: through-hardening bearing steel.
What is the yield strength of 52100 Normalized?
52100 Normalized has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is 52100 Normalized easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades). Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition (~40 % of AISI 1212) with carbide tooling and rigid setups; once hardened above ~55 HRC use grinding, honing or CBN hard turning with 0.1–0.3 mm allowance for post-heat-treat finishing.
Can 52100 Normalized be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Essentially unweldable — ~1 % C gives hard, crack-prone martensite; if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen/austenitic filler and immediately post-weld temper.
What surface finishes work on 52100 Normalized?
No corrosion resistance: protect with oil, black oxide, manganese phosphate, zinc or thin dense chrome; hardened surfaces lap and superfinish to mirror Ra <0.02 µm — avoid burning during grinding to prevent re-tempering.
Can 52100 Normalized be formed, bent or molded?
Cold ball-forming, roll-forming and tube drawing are done only from fully spheroidized stock; otherwise hot forge at 1050–1150 °C, stop above ~850 °C and slow cool then spheroidize anneal to avoid carbide networks and quench cracks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 52100 Normalized?
52100 Normalized is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 52100 Normalized?
Yes — 52100 Normalized is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A295 — High-Carbon Anti-Friction Bearing Steel — ASTM International (2020)
- EN ISO 683-17 (100Cr6, 1.3505) — Ball and roller bearing steels — ISO/CEN (2014)
- GB/T 18254 (GCr15) (2016)
- JIS G 4805 (SUJ2) — High carbon chromium bearing steels — JISC (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Ovako 803 / 100Cr6 bearing steel data — Ovako (2022)
- Bearing steel heat treatment and dimensional stability guidance — SKF (2020)
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.