Description

Chemical Composition

The following table shows the chemical composition of AISI 52100 alloy steel.

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

 

Mechanical properties

The mechanical properties of AISI 52100 alloy steel are outlined in the following table.

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

 

Heat Treatment

AISI 52100 alloy steel can be machined using conventional techniques. The machinability of this steel can be improved by performing spherodizing annealing process at 649°C before machining.

Forming

AISI 52100 alloy steel can be formed using all conventional techniques such as cold forging or stamping and hot or cold upset forming techniques.

Heat Treatment

AISI 52100 alloy steel is heated at 816°C followed by quenching in oil. Before performing this process, it is subjected to normalizing heat treatment at 872°C  followed by slowly cooling in order to reduce the machining stress.

Forging

AISI 52100 alloy steel is forged at 927 to 1205°C.

Annealing

AISI 52100 alloy steel is annealed at 872°C followed by slowly cooling to reduce cold working or machining stress.

Hardening

AISI 52100 alloy steel is hardened by cold working, or heating and quenching. It can be carburized at 913°C followed by quenching. It is again heated at 788°C followed by quenching for the second time.