# 52100 steel equivalents

52100 steel is nearest to EN 1.3505 (100Cr6), JIS SUJ2 and China GB GCr15. These are nearest equivalents, not identical grades: the governing standard or mill certificate decides.

| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| AISI / ASTM / SAE | 52100 |
| EN steel name | 100Cr6 |
| EN steel number | 1.3505 |
| JIS | SUJ2 |
| China GB | GCr15 |

Family: High-carbon chromium bearing steel

## What it is

A high-carbon chromium steel used for rolling bearings. It hardens to a very high hardness with excellent wear resistance and fatigue life.

## Typical uses

Bearing balls, rollers and rings, gauges, punches and small wear parts.

## Machining notes

Machine in the spheroidise-annealed condition, then harden and grind. Hardened 52100 needs grinding or hard turning.

## Related grades

- 440C stainless steel (1.4125): Stainless bearing steel
- O1 tool steel (1.2510): Oil-hardening tool steel

Equivalents are nearest matches, not identical grades. The governing standard or mill certificate decides.

## FAQ

**What is the European equivalent of 52100 steel?**
The nearest EN grade is 1.3505, steel name 100Cr6.

**What is the JIS equivalent of 52100 steel?**
The nearest Japanese grade is SUJ2.

**What is the Chinese GB equivalent of 52100 steel?**
The nearest Chinese GB grade is GCr15.

**Is 1.3505 the same as 52100?**
1.3505 (100Cr6) is the nearest European equivalent of 52100, not an identical grade. Composition limits and required properties differ in detail, so check the governing standard or the mill certificate when it matters.

**What is 52100 used for?**
Bearing balls, rollers and rings, gauges, punches and small wear parts.

Source page: https://machinistcharts.com/material/52100-steel/
Updated: 2026-10-06
Publisher: MachinistCharts (https://machinistcharts.com)