GCr15 Forged Bearing Steel Billet 52100 EN31 100Cr6 SUJ2 ШХ15
Details
GCr15 forged billet, internationally equivalent to AISI 52100 and European 100Cr6, is a premium semi-finished bearing blank manufactured via smelting, electroslag remelting (ESR), multi-station heavy forging and full spheroidizing annealing. Different from ordinary hot rolled round bars, multi-directional forging crushes coarse casting dendrites, eliminates internal looseness, shrinkage and segregation, refines carbide distribution and improves isotropy of the steel. It is the preferred raw material for large-size bearing rings, heavy-duty rollers and high-load precision wear-resistant parts, widely adopted by bearing manufacturers worldwide.
Chemical Composition of GCr15 Billet (Mass Fraction, wt.%)
| Element | Content Range | Metallurgical Function |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.95–1.05% | High carbon forms hard chromium carbides for high hardness and wear resistance |
| Si | 0.15–0.35% | Deoxidize molten steel, raise elastic limit and anti-fatigue capacity |
| Mn | 0.25–0.45% | Refine grains, enhance hardenability and matrix toughness |
| Cr | 1.30–1.65% | Core alloy element; optimizes carbide morphology and rolling contact fatigue life |
| P | ≤0.025% | Strictly restricted impurity to avoid cold brittleness under cyclic load |
| S | ≤0.025% | Controlled to prevent hot cracking during forging and machining |
| Cu, Ni | Cu ≤0.25%, Ni ≤0.30% | Limit residual trace elements to stabilize heat treatment consistency |
International Equivalent Grades of GCr15 Billet
| Region | Standard Grade | Material No. & Executive Standard |
|---|---|---|
| China | GCr15 | GB/T 18254 high carbon chromium bearing steel |
| USA | AISI 52100, UNS G52986 | ASTM A485, SAE J403 |
| Europe | 100Cr6 | W.Nr 1.3505, EN ISO 683-17 |
| Japan | SUJ2 | JIS G4805 bearing steel |
| ISO | 100Cr6 | ISO 683-17 |
| Russia | ШХ15 | GOST 801 |
After full spheroidizing annealing, GCr15 billet reaches soft hardness HB 179–207, suitable for sawing, turning, forging and ring rolling. Standard final heat treatment includes oil quenching at 830–860℃ and low-temperature tempering at 150–180℃, delivering uniform hardness HRC 61–66, ultra-high contact fatigue strength and outstanding dimensional stability. ESR grade billets feature ultra-low oxygen content and fewer non-metallic inclusions, greatly extending bearing service life under high-speed heavy rotation.
Forged GCr15 billets are produced in square, rectangular and round block shapes with customizable sizes, mainly applied in three core fields. First, heavy bearing manufacturing: large inner/outer ring blanks, cylindrical and tapered roller blanks for wind power reducer bearings, locomotive axle bearings and mining machinery bearings. Second, automotive transmission parts: wheel hub bearing blanks, gearbox bearing components and high-strength wear-resistant shaft sleeves for new energy vehicles. Third, precision mechanical tooling: CNC ball screw blanks, heavy-duty cold extrusion dies, measuring gauge blocks and high-load wear sleeves requiring long fatigue life.
Compared with hot rolled stock, forged GCr15 billets have fewer internal defects and more uniform carbide network, effectively reducing bearing cracking and early failure risks during service. With stable mechanical performance and globally recognized equivalent grades, GCr15 forged billets are irreplaceable raw materials for high-end heavy-load bearing production.
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