AISI 52100

AISI 52100 Alloy Steel (UNS G52986)- Composition, Properties, and Uses

This blog post will provide a comprehensive guide to AISI 52100, including its composition, mechanical and physical properties, uses, corrosion resistance, heat treatment, machining, and welding.

What is AISI 52100?

AISI 52100, also known as bearing steel, is a high-carbon alloy that contains a small amount of chromium. It is an excellent material for high strength, wear resistance, and toughness. AISI 52100 is commonly used in various applications, such as ball bearings, automotive parts, cutting tools, and aerospace components.

AISI 52100 Composition

AISI 52100 is a type of high-carbon chromium alloy steel with a carbon content between 0.98% and 1.10%. Chromium is an essential element that improves the steel’s hardenability, wear, and corrosion resistance. Other elements include manganese, silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur. The precise composition of AISI 52100 varies depending on the manufacturer and the specific application.

Element Content (%)
Iron, Fe 96.5 – 97.32
Chromium, Cr 1.30 – 1.60
Carbon, C 0.980 – 1.10
Manganese, Mn 0.250 – 0.450
Silicon, Si 0.150 – 0.300
Sulfur, S ≤ 0.0250
Phosphorous, P ≤ 0.0250

AISI 52100 Mechanical Properties

AISI 52100 has excellent mechanical properties, including high hardness, strength, and wear resistance. The steel’s properties are achieved through heat treatment, including quenching and tempering. The hardness of AISI 52100 can range from 60 to 66 HRC (Rockwell C Scale), while its tensile strength is up to 2550 MPa (370,000 psi). The steel also has a high fatigue strength, making it ideal for applications with repetitive stress.

Properties Metric Imperial
Bulk modulus (typical for steel) 140 GPa 20300 ksi
Shear modulus (typical for steel) 80 GPa 11600 ksi
Elastic modulus 190-210 GPa 27557-30458 ksi
Poisson’s ratio 0.27-0.30 0.27-0.30
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Knoop (converted from Rockwell C hardness) 875 875
Hardness, Rockwell C (quenched in oil from 150°C tempered) 62 62
Hardness, Rockwell C (quenched in water from 150°C tempered) 64 64
Hardness, Rockwell C (quenched in oil) 64 64
Hardness, Rockwell C (quenched in water) 66 66
Hardness, Vickers (converted from Rockwell C hardness) 848 848
Machinability (spheroidized annealed and cold drawn. Based on 100 machinability for AISI 1212 steel) 40 40

AISI 52100 Physical Properties

Apart from its mechanical properties, AISI 52100 has excellent physical properties such as density, thermal and electrical conductivity. The steel has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ and a thermal conductivity of 45 W/m.K at 100°C. Its electrical conductivity is around 3.3% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard).

Properties Metric Imperial
Density 7.81 g/cm3 0.282 lb/in³
Melting point 1424°C 2595°F

AISI 52100 Thermal Properties

Properties Metric Imperial
Thermal expansion co-efficient (@ 23-280°C/73.4- 36°F, annealed) 11.9 µm/m°C 6.61 µin/in°F
Thermal conductivity (typical steel) 46.6 W/mK 323 BTU in/hr.ft².°F

AISI 52100 Uses

AISI 52100 is primarily used to manufacture ball bearings thanks to its hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. The steel is also used in cutting tools, roller bearings, and automotive parts such as axles, gears, and crankshafts. There is also a demand for AISI 52100 in aerospace components such as aircraft landing gear, rocket engine turbopumps, and missile parts.

AISI 52100 Corrosion Resistance

AISI 52100 does not have significant corrosion resistance by itself and is prone to rust if not protected. However, adding chromium enhances the steel’s corrosion resistance, making it more resistant to oxidation and rust. A protective coating or plating can also improve AISI 52100’s corrosion resistance.

AISI 52100 Heat Treatment

AISI 52100 is heat treatable to achieve high strength and toughness. The steel’s heat treatment involves quenching and tempering to achieve the desired hardness and strength. The quenching process involves rapidly cooling the steel in a quenching medium such as oil or water to harden it. The steel is then tempered by heating it to a specific temperature and cooling it in the air to improve its toughness.

AISI 52100 Machining

AISI 52100 has good machinability, it can be easily cut, drilled, and ground using standard cutting tools. The steel’s hardness can make it challenging to machine, and it is essential to use the right cutting tools and machining parameters to avoid excessive tool wear and chatter.

AISI 52100 Welding

AISI 52100 is not commonly welded, and welding it can affect its mechanical properties, particularly its hardness and toughness. However, it is possible to weld the steel using techniques such as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) or laser welding.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, AISI 52100 is a high-carbon alloy steel with excellent mechanical properties, including high hardness, strength, and wear resistance. It also has good physical properties, such as thermal and electrical conductivity. AISI 52100 is widely used in applications that require high strength and durability, such as ball bearings, automotive parts, cutting tools, and aerospace components. To maximize its performance, AISI 52100 requires careful heat treatment and machining. While the steel’s corrosion resistance is minimal, it can be enhanced by applying a protective coating or plating. Knowing about this steel’s composition, mechanical and physical properties, uses, corrosion resistance, heat treatment, machining, and welding can help you make more informed decisions when using it in your projects.

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