52100 is a highly versatile high-carbon chromium alloy steel, renowned globally for its superior hardness, wear resistance, and fatigue strength, making it a primary choice for bearing applications. Several international standards specify materials with equivalent chemical compositions and performance characteristics to 52100, facilitating global material sourcing and interchangeability.
The primary materials equivalent to 52100 under various international standards include:
| Standard | Grade | Typical Manganese (Mn) Content Range |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM A295 | 52100 | 0.25-0.45% |
| DIN 17230 | 100Cr6 / 1.3505 | 0.25-0.45% |
| JIS G4805 | SUJ2 | 0.50% |
| BS 970 | 535A99 / EN31 | 0.40-0.70% |
Understanding the Equivalents
These equivalent grades ensure that industries worldwide can specify and procure materials with similar properties for demanding applications. While their primary use is in bearings, they are also found in various other components requiring high wear resistance and toughness.
- ASTM 52100: This is the American standard designation for this bearing steel, widely adopted across North America and beyond. It is known for its consistent quality and performance in precision components.
- DIN 100Cr6 / 1.3505: Representing the German industrial standard, these designations are commonly used in European markets. Both
100Cr6(material designation) and1.3505(material number) refer to the same steel, signifying a chromium-containing steel with approximately 1% carbon and 1.5% chromium. - JIS SUJ2: This Japanese Industrial Standard grade is the equivalent for the Asian market. It shares very similar characteristics to 52100, often differing only marginally in specific alloying element percentages, such as a slightly higher typical manganese content as noted in the provided data, which can subtly influence hardenability.
- BS 535A99 / EN31: These are the British standards for this high-carbon chromium bearing steel.
EN31is an older, widely recognized British En standard name that corresponds to the535A99designation within BS 970. The manganese range in this standard is sometimes slightly broader, allowing for a bit more flexibility in achieving desired hardness profiles.
These equivalencies are critical in global manufacturing and supply chains, ensuring consistent material performance whether components are sourced from different regions or specified under various national standards. While chemical compositions are generally very close, minor differences in specific alloying element ranges or manufacturing processes can result in subtle variations in final properties, but for most practical applications, these materials are considered interchangeable.
