Steel 52100 Q&T + Stabilized
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 52100 · UNS G52986 · ASTM A295 · EN 1.3505, 100Cr6 · JIS SUJ2
Q&T + Stabilized = 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.
Values for the Q&T + Stabilized 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 |
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 | — |
Q&T + StabilizedThis page 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 Q&T + Stabilized?
52100 Q&T + Stabilized is 52100 heat treated to Q&T + 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. 52100 Q&T + Stabilized has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 52100 Q&T + Stabilized 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; Q&T + Stabilized is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,800 MPa (261 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 99% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
52100 Q&T + Stabilized properties
Typical room-temperature values for 52100 Q&T + Stabilized; 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 Q&T + Stabilized 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 Q&T + Stabilized has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
52100 Q&T + Stabilized is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 35 W/m·K (20.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
52100 Q&T + Stabilized conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 52100 Q&T + Stabilized 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 Q&T + Stabilized's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (3/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 52100 Q&T + Stabilized
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 Q&T + Stabilized — frequently asked
What is 52100 Q&T + Stabilized used for?
52100 Q&T + Stabilized is typically used for ball bearings, roller bearings and rollers. In short: through-hardening bearing steel.
What is the yield strength of 52100 Q&T + Stabilized?
52100 Q&T + Stabilized has a typical yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is 52100 Q&T + Stabilized easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% 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 Q&T + Stabilized be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (3/100). 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 Q&T + Stabilized?
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 Q&T + Stabilized 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 Q&T + Stabilized?
52100 Q&T + Stabilized is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 52100 Q&T + Stabilized?
Yes — 52100 Q&T + Stabilized 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.