Alloy Steel > Rod & Bar > 52100

52100 is a high carbon, chromium containing low alloy steel that is through hardening and noted in particular for use as bearings.

Applications: Principal applications are those for bearings in rotating machinery.

Machinability Machinability of 52100 alloy is good by conventional methods. A spherodizing anneal at 1200 F before machining will improve the overall machinability of the alloy.

Forming: 52100 may be formed by all conventional methods, including cold forging or stamping and hot or cold upset forming.

Welding: No data given. This is a high carbon alloy typically used in bearing applications where welding is not applicable or appropriate.

Heat Treatment: Heat treatment consists of heating to 1500 F followed by an oil quench for through hardening of the alloy. A normalizing heat treatment at 1600 F and slow cooling, to relieve machining stress, may be employed prior to the 1500 F and quench treatment.

Forging: The alloy may be supplied as forgings and also may be subsequently forged at 2200 F down to 1700 F

Hot Working: Hot working, such as upsetting, may be done in the range of 400 to 1000 F.

Cold Working: The alloy has good ductility and may be cold worked in the annealed or normalized conditions by conventional methods.

Annealing: Anneal at 1600 F and slow cool to relieve machining or cold working strains.

Aging: Not applicable to this alloy.

Tempering: Temper at 400 F.

Hardening: The alloy hardens from cold working or by heating and quenching – see “Heat Treatment”. It also may be carburized at 1675 F and quenched after sufficient time for carburization. A second heating to 1450 F and second quench from that temperature should be used.