Steel Grade Datasheet
100Cr6/ 1.3505 / 52100High-Carbon Chromium Bearing Steel
What is 100Cr6 (52100) steel?
100Cr6 (Werkstoff No. 1.3505, equivalent to AISI 52100 / Russian ShKh15) is a high-carbon (1.0% C) chromium bearing steel per EN ISO 683-17. Its high carbon and chromium enable through-hardening; when hardened and tempered it reaches 60–66 HRC with superior wear resistance and fatigue life. It is the standard material for ball and roller bearings, bearing rings and rolling elements.
Chemical Composition
Cast analysis, % by weight (per the applicable EN standard)
| Element | Range (%) |
|---|---|
| C | 0.93–1.05 |
| Si | 0.15–0.35 |
| Mn | 0.25–0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.025 |
| S | ≤ 0.015 |
| Cr | 1.35–1.60 |
Mechanical Properties (+A (yumuşak/küreselleştirme tavlı — teslim hali). Sertleştirme sonrası 60–66 HRC.)
Values depend on ruling section / thickness (d).
| Section (mm) | Yield Re min (MPa) | Tensile Rm (MPa) | Elongation A min (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| +A · d ≤ 100 | — | 590–800 | — |
Hardness: +A (annealed): ≤ 207 HB (machinable) · Hardened + tempered: 60–66 HRC (working state)
100Cr6 / 52100 properties and heat treatment
International Equivalents
Values marked ≈ are nearest matches, not exact equivalents. Always confirm against the governing standard.
| System | Grade |
|---|---|
| EN | 100Cr6 |
| W.-Nr. (DIN) | 1.3505 |
| AISI/SAE | 52100 |
| ASTM | A295 (52100) |
| JIS | SUJ2 |
| GOST | ШХ15 (ShKh15) |
| BS (UK) | 534A99 (EN31) |
| GB (China) | GCr15 |
Applications
- Ball and roller bearings
- Bearing rings and rolling elements
- Forged grinding balls
- Precision shafts and pinions
- Gauges and die components
- Wear-resistant bushings and rollers
Available Product Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 100Cr6, 52100 and ShKh15 the same material?+
Yes, they are different designations of the same bearing steel: 100Cr6 is European (EN), 52100 American (AISI/SAE), ShKh15 (ШХ15) Russian (GOST), SUJ2 Japanese (JIS), GCr15 Chinese (GB) and EN31 British. All are used interchangeably as high-carbon chromium bearing steel.
What is the hardness of 100Cr6?+
When hardened and low-temperature tempered it is typically 60–66 HRC, thanks to its high carbon (1.0%). In the delivery (annealed) condition it is ≤ 207 HB so it can be machined; the hardness is imparted later by heat treatment.
What makes 100Cr6 a bearing steel?+
Three properties: (1) high carbon + chromium allow through-hardening to 60+ HRC across the section; (2) superior wear and fatigue resistance; (3) exceptional cleanliness (low inclusions) — because in a bearing even a microscopic inclusion starts a crack. Together they give long life under rolling contact.
Is 100Cr6 weldable?+
No, it is not practically weldable. Its high carbon (1.0%) forms hard, brittle martensite in the heat-affected zone during welding and the cracking risk is very high. Bearing parts are made by machining and grinding, not welding.
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References & Standards
Values on this page are reference data compiled from the applicable EN standard; certified material properties are defined by the mill test certificate (EN 10204 3.1).