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52100 Carbon Steel | 100Cr6: Properties, Uses, Products
- John
SteelPro Group is a global leader in carbon steel supply, offering high-quality 52100 steel products that meet ISO, GB, and ASTM standards. Our products are engineered for superior wear resistance, toughness, and durability, ideal for applications like bearings and cutting tools.
What Is 52100 Steel?
52100 steel is a high-performance chromium alloy steel. It offers superior wear resistance and toughness, with enhanced hardenability due to the addition of chromium. This makes it highly effective in high-stress environments, especially in bearings that operate under rolling contact fatigue conditions at temperatures below 400°F (204°C).
Compared to simpler carbon steels like 1075, it requires more precise heat treatment but provides better durability and edge retention. We can provide VAR production to improve its internal strength and cleanliness compared to traditional air-melted variants.
Advantages of 52100 Tool Steel
- High Wear Resistance: Ideal for high-load and rolling contact applications like bearings.
- Good Toughness: Excellent impact resistance under stress.
- Superior Hardenability: Deep hardening capability for enhanced strength.
- High Edge Retention: Maintains sharpness, making it suitable for cutting tools.
Limitations of 52100 Tool Steel
- Difficult to Machine and Sharpen: Requires precise machining and high hardness makes sharpening more challenging.
- Requires Precise Heat Treatment: Incorrect heat treatment can lead to reduced toughness and performance.
52100 Steel Equivalent
The following table outlines the relevant international standards and their corresponding equivalent grades for 52100 steel.
| Country | Standard | Equivalent Grades |
| International | ISO 4957 | 1.2067 |
| China | GB/T 1299 | GCr15 |
| USA | AMS 6440\ASTM A295\AMS 6444 \ASTM A29/A29M | 52100 |
| Europe | EN 10132 | 102Cr6 |
| Germany | DIN 17230 | 100Cr6 |
| Japan | JIS G 4805 | SUJ2 |
52100 Carbon Steel Products And Sizes
SteelPro Group offers 52100 steel products, including bars, wire, rods, and more. Our products are manufactured with accuracy and tight tolerance standards. If you need specific dimensions or custom shapes, don’t hesitate to contact us.
| Product Form | Size Range |
| Round Bars | Diameter: 6 mm to 250 mm (0.24″ to 9.84″) |
| Square Bars | Side: 6 mm to 150 mm (0.24″ to 5.91″) |
| Hexagonal Bars | Width (flat-to-flat): 10 mm to 100 mm (0.39″ to 3.94″) |
| Wire Rod | Diameter: 1 mm to 30 mm (0.04″ to 1.18″) |
| Spring Wire | Diameter: 0.5 mm to 10 mm (0.02″ to 0.39″) |
52100 Tool Steel Chemical Composition
| Element | Composition |
| Carbon (C) | 0.98 – 1.1 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 1.3 – 1.6 % |
| Iron (Fe) | 96.5 – 97.32 % |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.25 – 0.45 % |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.025 % |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.15 – 0.30 % |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.025 % |
52100 Tool Steel Physical Properties
| Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value |
| Density | 7.81 g/cc | 0.282 lb/in³ |
| Melting Point | 1,450 – 1,500 °C | 2,642 – 2,732 °F |
| Thermal Conductivity | 46.6 W/m·K | 323 BTU·in/hr·ft²·°F |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 0.475 J/g·°C | 0.114 BTU/lb·°F |
| CTE (Annealed) | 11.9 µm/m·°C (23.0 – 280 °C) | 6.61 µin/in·°F (73.4 – 536 °F) |
| CTE (Hardened) | 12.5 µm/m·°C (23.0 – 280 °C) | 6.94 µin/in·°F (73.4 – 536 °F) |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.0000219 ohm·cm | 0.0000219 ohm·cm |
52100 Tool Steel Mechanical Properties
| Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 300 – 400 HB | 300 – 400 HB |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 210 GPa | 30,500 ksi |
| Bulk Modulus | 160 GPa | 23200 ksi |
| Shear Modulus | 80.0 GPa | 11600 ksi |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Fracture Toughness | 15.4 – 18.7 MPa-m½ | 14.0 – 17.0 ksi-in½ |
| Tensile Strength | 1,200 – 1,400 MPa | 174,000 – 203,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 1,000 – 1,200 MPa | 145,000 – 174,000 psi |
| Machinability | 40 % | 40 % |
| Elongation | 8 – 12 % | 8 – 12 % |
| Impact Toughness | 20 – 40 J | 14.8 – 29.4 ft-lb |
- Machinability is based on spheroidized annealed and cold-drawn conditions, with 100% machinability relative to AISI 1212 steel.
Forging 52100 Steel
52100 steel should be forged at temperatures between 927°C and 1,205°C (1,701°F and 2,201°F). Forging below 925°C (1,697°F) is not advisable, as it may lead to poor formability, increased brittleness, and the risk of cracking.
After the forging process, a post-forge treatment at 745°C (1,373°F) for 4 to 6 hours is recommended to equalize the material, followed by air cooling.
How to Heat Treat 52100 Steel
Annealing
- 815°C (1,500°F) for 3 hours
- 735°C (1,350°F) for 4 hours
- 675°C (1,250°F) for 3 hours
Afterward, slowly cool to 540°C (1,000°F) and allow it to air cool. This step reduces carbide size and makes the material more suitable for machining.
Normalizing
Heat the steel to 872°C (1,602°F) and hold to ensure uniform temperature distribution. Allow it to cool gradually in the air. This process helps minimize machining stress and gets the steel ready for the next heat treatment step.
Austenitizing
Heat the steel to 1,545–1,615°C (2,813–2,919°F) and hold for 5 minutes. It is critical not to exceed this temperature range, as doing so can significantly reduce toughness. This process transforms the steel into an austenitic phase, setting it up for quenching.
Quenching
Quench the steel in medium oil for rapid cooling. This ensures the steel locks in its hardness. While water quenching is possible, oil quenching is preferred as it offers a more controlled cooling rate, reducing the risk of distortion or cracking.
Tempering
After quenching, temper the steel twice, each time for 2 hours at a temperature between 150–200°C (302–392°F) to adjust the hardness and improve toughness. For higher toughness and lower hardness, temper at the lower end of the range. After each tempering cycle, allow the steel to cool in the air.
Hot Working
52100 steel can be hot worked at temperatures between 205–538°C (401–1,000°F). This allows shaping without cracking, improving ductility. It is suitable for processes like forging and rolling.
Cold Working
52100 can be cold-worked in its annealed or normalized state. Cold drawing or rolling is commonly used to achieve precise dimensions.
52100 Tool Steel Applications
- Ball Bearings
- Roller Bearings
- Tapered Roller Bearings
- Electric Motor Bearings
- Cutting Tools
- Gear Components
Is 52100 Steel Good for Knives?
Yes, 52100 steel is great for knives, offering high edge retention, toughness, and wear resistance. It’s often used in high-end custom knives, though it can be harder to sharpen due to its high hardness (58-62 HRC).
52100 Steel vs D2 Steel
52100 is tougher with better impact resistance, while D2 has higher wear resistance due to more chromium. D2 holds an edge longer, but 52100 is better for durability in tough tasks.
52100 Steel vs 1095
52100 has better toughness and wear resistance, while 1095 is simpler, and easier to sharpen, but more prone to rust. 52100’s chromium content gives it better corrosion resistance.
1566 Steel vs 52100
52100 has better wear resistance and hardenability due to its chromium content. 1566 is tougher but sacrifices wear resistance, making 52100 better for durability and edge retention.
Get Custom 52100 Steel Solutions with SteelPro Group
SteelPro Group offers high-quality 52100 steel in various forms, including bars, rods, and wire. We provide precision machining, surface treatments like carburizing and nitriding, and heat treatments to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to find the perfect solution for your project.
