Chrome steel, stainless steel, ceramics and plastic are the most common used material for bearing production. Amount of them, chrome steel is in the top of bearing material consuming volume in China miniature ball bearing manufacturing. People always mean chrome steel (GCr15) if they say bearing steel and no special explanation.
The bearing steel is usually used for the material of rollers and ring. It has to bear very large pressure and friction; therefore the steel must have high and even hardness and anti-abrasion capability and high limit of elastic. And the composition decides or affects these capabilities and performance, so there are very strict requirements on the bearing steel composition.
There are different steel numbers in different countries even though there are ISO standards. Here below are the bearing steel composition and number cross reference list for your information:
FITRUN has been in the miniature ball bearing manufacturing for over 10 years. Please feel free to let us know if you have any question in this field.