GCr15 is a high-carbon chromium bearing steel specified under GB/T 18254 and supplied as precision seamless steel pipe or tube under YB/T 4146. It is utilized for rolling-bearing components and other mechanical parts requiring high hardness, superior wear resistance, and robust contact-fatigue strength after proper heat treatment. Chemistry controls, residual limits, and annealed hardness adhere strictly to GB/T 18254 standards.
GCr15 is a high-carbon chromium bearing steel specified under GB/T 18254 and supplied as precision seamless steel pipe or tube under YB/T 4146. It is utilized for rolling-bearing components and other mechanical parts requiring high hardness, superior wear resistance, and robust contact-fatigue strength after proper heat treatment. Chemistry controls, residual limits, and annealed hardness adhere…
GCr15 is a high-carbon chromium bearing steel specified under GB/T 18254 and supplied as precision seamless steel pipe or tube under YB/T 4146. It is utilized for rolling-bearing components and other mechanical parts requiring high hardness, superior wear resistance, and robust contact-fatigue strength after proper heat treatment. Chemistry controls, residual limits, and annealed hardness adhere strictly to GB/T 18254 standards.
Similar Designations
Country / Region
System / Standard / Manufacturer
Designation
Designation Type
Relationship
Applicable Scope
Source
USA
AISI/SAE / ASTM A295
52100
National Standard Grade
Similar
Bearing steel
[S1]
Europe / ISO
EN ISO 683-17
100Cr6 (1.3505)
National Standard Grade / Material Number
Similar
Bearing steel
[S1]
Japan
JIS G4805
SUJ2
National Standard Grade
Similar
High-carbon chromium bearing steel
[S1]
Product Specifications
Parameter
Value
Unit
Delivery condition
Spheroidized annealed
—
Manufacturing method
Hot-rolled or cold-drawn/rolled
—
Surface condition
As-rolled, peeled, or polished
—
Standards & Designations
Country / Region
System / Standard / Manufacturer
Designation
Designation Type
Relationship
Applicable Scope
Source
China
GB/T 18254
GCr15
Primary Grade
Confirmed
High-carbon chromium bearing steel
[S1], [S3]
China
GB/T 18254
B00150
Material Number
Confirmed
Unified digital code
[S3]
China
YB/T 4146
GCr15
National Standard Grade
Confirmed
Seamless tubes for bearings and mechanical parts
[S4]
USA
AISI/SAE / ASTM A295
52100
National Standard Grade
Similar
Bearing steel
[S1]
Europe / ISO
EN ISO 683-17
100Cr6
National Standard Grade
Similar
Bearing steel
[S1]
Europe / ISO
EN ISO 683-17
1.3505
Material Number
Similar
Bearing steel
[S1]
Japan
JIS G4805
SUJ2
National Standard Grade
Similar
High-carbon chromium bearing steel
[S1]
Chemical Composition
C
Si
Mn
Cr
Mo
Ni
Cu
P
S
O
0.95–1.05%
0.15–0.35%
0.25–0.45%
1.40–1.65%
≤0.10%
≤0.25–0.30%
≤0.25%
≤0.025%
≤0.020–0.025%
≤0.0012%
Mechanical Properties
Parameter
Value
Unit
Spheroidizing annealed hardness
179–207
HBW
Softening annealed hardness
≤245
HBW
Quenched & tempered hardness (typical)
61–65
HRC
Heat Treatment
Common delivery condition is spheroidized annealed to obtain fine-grained pearlite. Typical parts quenching involves heating to 830 to 860 °C with oil cooling, followed by low-temperature tempering at 150 to 180 °C.
Heat-Treatment Graphs
Illustrative only
Technical graphs
For illustration only — do not use as design, acceptance, or guaranteed product data. This graph shows a representative engineering trend, not measured product data. Actual values may vary with material condition, heat-treatment parameters, section size, and production route. Contact MSC for product-specific technical data.
Hardenability
Illustrative only
Technical graphs
For illustration only — do not use as design, acceptance, or guaranteed product data. The curve shown is a representative hardenability trend for this material grade. Actual values may vary depending on heat-treatment parameters, austenitizing temperature, grain size, section size, and steelmaking practice. Contact MSC for product-specific technical data.
Dimensions & Tolerances
Available forms include precision seamless steel tubes produced via hot-rolling or cold-drawing/rolling, with commercial sizes commonly offered in outer diameter ranges of approximately 10–260 mm and wall thicknesses of 2–30 mm.
Parameter
Value
Unit
Curvature (WT ≤15 mm)
≤1.0
mm/m
Curvature (WT >15 mm)
≤1.5
mm/m
Total decarburization depth (hot-rolled)
≤0.50
mm
Total decarburization depth (cold-drawn/rolled)
≤0.20
mm
Welding & Machining
Weldability is poor. Material machinability is good after spheroidizing annealing.
Manufacturing & Supply
Attribute
Details
Manufacturing Process
Hot-rolled or cold-drawn (cold-rolled) seamless tubes
Product Form
Precision seamless steel pipe and tube
Inspection & Quality
Attribute
Details
Required Inspection
Chemical analysis, hardness, macrostructure, microstructure, carbide inhomogeneity, non-metallic inclusions, and NDT
Quality Variants
Ordinary, high-grade, and super-grade quality steels with progressively tighter residual and inclusion limits
Key Features & Advantages
Feature
Advantage
High Hardness
Achieves 61 to 65 HRC after quenching and low-temperature tempering
Wear Resistance
High-carbon chromium alloy provides excellent wear resistance for bearing components
Fatigue Strength
Provides high contact-fatigue strength under rolling contact service conditions
Machinability
Exhibits good machinability after spheroidizing annealing
Applications
Application
Description
Rolling Bearings
Rolling bearing rings, rollers, and balls within specified size limits
Mechanical Parts
Other mechanical parts requiring high hardness, wear resistance, and contact-fatigue strength
Tooling
Molds and precision gauges
Packing & Delivery
Attribute
Details
Delivery Condition
Commonly spheroidized annealed; other states available by agreement
Product Form
Precision seamless steel pipe and tube
Important Notes
Non-Interchangeability Warning: Cross-referenced grades such as 52100, 100Cr6, 1.3505, and SUJ2 are similar only; their exact composition limits, residual controls, and property guarantees differ and must not be treated as direct equivalents. Mechanical properties after quench and temper are condition-dependent and do not represent universal as-delivered tube guarantees.
Contact / Quotation
For quotations, available forms, dimensions and order-specific technical confirmation, contact MSC.
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