Steel 52100

Aging Procedure

Not applicable to this alloy.

Annealing Procedure

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

Applications

Principal applications are those for bearings in rotating machinery.

Cold Workability

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

Forgeability

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

Formability

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

Hardening Procedure

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.

Heat Treatability

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.

Hot Workability

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

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.

Principle Design Features

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

Tempering Procedure

Temper at 400 F.

Weldability

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