Designation: A 485 – 03

Standard Specification for

High Hardenability Antifriction Bearing Steel1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 485; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope ISO 683 Part 17: Ball and Roller Bearing Steels7
1.1 This specification covers high hardenability modifica- 3. Ordering Information
tions of high-carbon bearing quality steel to be used in the
manufacture of antifriction bearings. 3.1 Orders for material under this specification should
1.2 Supplementary requirements of an optional nature are include the following information:
provided and when desired shall be so stated in the order. 3.1.1 Quantity (weight or number of pieces),
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.1.2 Grade identification,
as the standard. 3.1.3 ASTM designation and year of issue,
3.1.4 Dimensions,
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.5 Supplementary requirements, if included.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4. Process
A 29/A 29M Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon and
Alloy, Hot-Wrought and Cold-Finished, General Require- 4.1 The steel shall be made by a process that is capable of
ments for2 providing a high quality product meeting the requirements of
A 255 Test Method of End-Quench Test for Hardenability this specification.
of Steel2 5. Chemical Composition and Analysis
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products3 5.1 Typical examples of chemical compositions are shown
E 45 Test Methods For Determining the Inclusion Content in Table 1. Other compositions may be specified.
of Steel4 5.2 An analysis of each heat of steel shall be made by the
E 381 Method of Macroetch Testing, Inspection, and Rating steel manufacturer in accordance with Test Methods, Practices,
Steel Products, Comprising Bars, Billets, Blooms, and and Terminology A 751. The chemical composition thus deter-
Forgings4 mined shall conform to the requirements specified in Table 1
E 1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, for the ordered grade or to other requirements agreed upon
Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel and in Iron, Nickel, and between manufacturer and purchaser.
Cobalt Alloys5 5.3 Product analysis may be made by the purchaser in
E 1077 Test Method for Estimating the Depth of Decarbur- accordance with Test Methods, Practice, and Terminology
ization of Steel Specimens4 A 751. Permissible variations in product analysis shall be in
2.2 Other Standards: accordance with Specification A 29/A 29M.
SAE J148a Grain Size Determination of Steel6 6. Sizes, Shapes, and Dimensional Tolerances
6.1 The physical size and shape of the material shall be
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, agreed upon between manufacturer and purchaser.
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys , and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 6.2 Dimensional tolerances for hot-rolled or hot-rolled and
A01.28 on Bearing Steels. annealed bars, in straight lengths or coils, and cold-finished
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as A 485–00. bars furnished under this specification shall conform to the
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05. requirements specified in the latest edition of Specification
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03. A 29/A 29M.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06.
6
Available from The Engineering Society for Advanced Mobility of Land, Sea, 7
Air and Space, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-001. Available from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, rue
de Varembé, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Genève 20, Switzerland.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 485 – 03
TABLE 1 Chemical CompositionA,B
C
Number Name C Mn P (max) S (max) Si Cr Ni (max) Ti (max) Cu (max) Mo O (max)D Al (max)
1 Grade 1 0.90–1.05 0.90–1.20 0.025 0.015 0.45–0.75 0.90–1.20 0.25 0.0050 0.30 0.10 (max) 0.0015 0.050
2 Grade 2 0.85–1.00 1.40–1.70 0.025 0.015 0.50–0.80 1.40–1.80 0.25 0.0050 0.30 0.10 (max) 0.0015 0.050
3 Grade 3 0.95–1.10 0.65–0.90 0.025 0.015 0.15–0.35 1.10–1.50 0.25 0.0050 0.30 0.20–0.30 0.0015 0.050
4 Grade 4 0.95–1.10 1.05–1.35 0.025 0.015 0.15–0.35 1.10–1.50 0.25 0.0050 0.30 0.45–0.60 0.0015 0.050
E
B2 100CrMnSi4–4 0.93–1.05 0.90–1.20 0.025 0.015 0.45–0.75 0.90–1.20 ... 0.30 0.10 (max) 0.0015 0.050
E
B3 100CrMnSi6–4 0.93–1.05 1.00–1.20 0.025 0.015 0.45–0.75 1.40–1.65 ... 0.30 0.10 (max) 0.0015 0.050
E
B4 100CrMnSi6–6 0.93–1.05 1.40–1.70 0.025 0.015 0.45–0.75 1.40–1.65 ... 0.30 0.10 (max) 0.0015 0.050
E
B5 100CrMo7 0.93–1.05 0.25–0.45 0.025 0.015 0.15–0.35 1.65–1.95 ... 0.30 0.15–0.30 0.0015 0.050
E
B6 100CrMo7–3 0.93–1.05 0.60–0.80 0.025 0.015 0.15–0.35 1.65–1.95 ... 0.30 0.20–0.35 0.0015 0.050
E
B7 100CrMo7–4 0.93–1.05 0.60–0.80 0.025 0.015 0.15–0.35 1.65–1.95 ... 0.30 0.40–0.50 0.0015 0.050
E
B8 100CrMnMoSi8–4–6 0.93–1.05 0.80–1.10 0.025 0.015 0.40–0.60 1.80–2.05 ... 0.30 0.50–0.60 0.0015 0.050
A
Elements not quoted shall not be intentionally added to the steel without the agreement of the purchaser.
B
Intentional additions of calcium or calcium alloys for deoxidation or inclusion shape control are not permitted unless specifically approved by the purchaser.
C
Steels B2 through B8 meet the requirements of ISO 683, Part 17, Second Edition, Table 3.
D
Oxygen content applies to product analysis and shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods E 1019.
E
A maximum titanium content may be agreed upon at the time of inquiry and order.

TABLE 2 Inclusion Rating poured. When a heat consists of a single usable plate, any three
Rating Units random ingots may be selected. Other methods of sampling
Thin Series Heavy Series shall be as agreed upon between manufacturer and purchaser.
A—21⁄2 A—11⁄2 7.2.3 For strand cast products, a minimum of six samples
B—2 B—1 representing the first, middle, and last portion of the heat cast
C—1⁄2 C—1⁄2 shall be examined. At least one sample shall be taken from
D—1 D—1
each strand.
7.3 Macroetch—Specimens representative of cross-sections
TABLE 3 Hardenability Values of billets shall be macroetched and rated in accordance with
Rockwell C
Method E 381 in hydrochloric acid and water (1.1) at 60 to
Minimum Rockwell C Values at Sixteenth of Inch 180°F (71 to 82°C). Such specimens shall not exceed S2, R2,
Grade 10 20 28 C2 of Method E 381.
1 46 ... ...
2 ... 52 32
7.4 Inclusion Rating—Specimens approximately 3⁄8 by 3⁄4
3 46 ... ... in. (9.5 by 19.1 mm) shall be taken from an area halfway
4 ... 52 35 between the center and outside of the billet. The polished face
shall be longitudinal to the direction of rolling. The scale used
for rating the specimens shall be the chart described in Practice
7. Quality Tests E 45, Method A, Plate I-r. Inclusion fields with sizes or
7.1 The supplier shall be held responsible for the quality of numbers intermediate between configurations shown on the
the material furnished and shall make the necessary tests chart shall be classified as the lesser of the rating number. The
detailed below: Quality tests shown in 7.1 through 7.4 are worst field of each inclusion type from each specimen shall be
based upon procedures established in Practice E 45. recorded as the rating for the specimen. Two thirds of all
7.2 Sampling—Samples taken in accordance with the fol- specimens and at least one from each ingot tested, or from the
lowing paragraphs shall be obtained from 4 by 4 in. (102 by first, middle and last portion of the strands tested as well as the
102 mm) rolled billets or forged sections. Tests may be made average of all specimens, shall not exceed the rating specified
on smaller or larger sections by agreement with the purchaser. in Table 2.
A minimum of 3 to 1 reduction of rolled billets or forged
sections is required for strand cast products. 8. Grain Size
7.2.1 For top poured products, a minimum of six samples 8.1 The steels covered by this specification shall have the
representing the top and bottom of the first, middle and last capability of showing fine fracture grain size (approximately
usable ingots shall be examined. ASTM No. 8) (SAE J418a) when quenched from normal
7.2.2 For bottom poured products, a minimum of six austenizing temperatures not exceeding 1550°F (843°C).
samples shall be taken from semi-finished or finished product
representing the top and bottom of three ingots. One ingot shall 9. Hardenability
be taken at random from the first usable plate poured, one ingot 9.1 Each heat shall be tested for hardenability. Normalizing
at random from the usable plate poured nearest to the middle of followed by spheroidize annealing shall precede heating for
the heat, and one ingot at random from the last usable plate end quenching. In heating for end quenching, the test speci-
poured. When a heat is constituted by two usable plates, two of mens shall be held for a minimum of 30 min at 1500 6 8°F
the sample ingots shall be selected from the second usable plate (815 6 4.5°C). End-quench procedure shall be in accordance

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 A 485 – 03
TABLE 4 Decarburization and Surface Imperfections for Bars and Tubes
Maximum Decarburization or Surface Imperfections per Side, in. (mm)
Size, in. (mm) Hot-Rolled Bars Hot-Rolled Annealed Cold-Finished Annealed
Bars Tubes Bars Tubes
Over 1.000 (25.4) to 2.000 (50.8), 0.017 (0.43) 0.022 (0.56) 0.020 (0.51) 0.017 (0.43) 0.014 (0.36)
incl
Over 2.000 (50.8) to 3.000 (76.2), 0.025 (0.64) 0.030 (0.76) 0.030 (0.76) 0.025 (0.64) 0.019 (0.48)
incl
Over 3.000 (76.2) to 4.000 (101.6), 0.035 (0.89) 0.045 (1.14) 0.035 (0.89) ... 0.024 (0.61)
incl
Over 4.000 (101.6) to 5.000 0.055 (1.40) 0.065 (1.65) 0.040 (1.02) ... 0.028 (0.71)
(127.0), incl

TABLE 5 Hardness Limits for Annealed Material

Product Condition Maximum Hardness
Brinell Rockwell
Coils hot-rolled, annealed ... B 97
Bars and tubes hot-rolled, annealed 217 ...
Coils annealed, cold ... B 92
drawn (stress
relieved)
Coils, bars, and tubes annealed, cold 260 ...
drawnA
A
Cold swaged material is not included.

with Test Method A 255. The “J” values for hardenability as 12. Inspection
shown in Table 3 shall apply. 12.1 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s inspector
all reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that the
10. Decarburization and Surface Imperfections material is being produced and furnished in accordance with
10.1 Decarburization and surface imperfections shall not this specification. Mill inspection by the purchaser shall not
exceed the limits specified in Table 4. Decarburization shall be interfere unnecessarily with the manufacturer’s operations. All
measured using the microscopical methods described in Test tests and inspections shall be made at the place of manufacture,
Method E 1077. unless otherwise agreed to.
13. Certification and Reports
11. Microstructure and Hardness
13.1 Upon request of the purchaser in the contract or order,
11.1 The material shall be free of excessive carbide segre- a manufacturer’s certification that the material was manufac-
gation. tured and tested in accordance with this specification together
11.2 When annealing is specified in the order, the steel shall with a report of the test results shall be furnished at the time of
have a microstructure completely spheroidized, or as agreed shipment. Special requirements agreed to at the time of
upon, and the maximum hardness as specified in Table 5. purchase must be noted on the certification.

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 A 485 – 03

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

One or more of the supplementary requirements described below apply when included in
purchaser’s order or contract. When so included, a supplementary requirement shall have the same
force as if it were in the body of the specification. Supplementary requirements details not fully
described shall be agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier, but shall not negate any of the
requirements in the body of the specification.

S1. “SAM” Inclusion Rating System falls; that is, an inclusion in the 1⁄16 to 1⁄8 in. bracket shall be
S1.1 The purchaser may specify that the “SAM” inclusion taken as being 3⁄32 in length. The sum of all lengths for each
rating method, described in Method E of Practice E 45, be used specimen shall be determined and expressed as total length per
in addition to the micro-inclusion rating method described in area inspected. The average total length per area inspected of
7.4. all six specimens shall not exceed 200 mm/m2 (or equivalent).
S1.2 Sampling—See Section 7. S3. Sulfur Requirements for Machinability
S1.3 Limits—The “SAM” rating for Type B inclusions shall
not exceed 15. The “SAM” rating for Type D inclusions shall S3.1 The sulfur content shall be 0.015–0.030 %.
not exceed 10. S3.2 The sulfide (type A) rating units in Table 2 shall be 3.0
thin and 2.0 heavy.
S3.3 The manufacturer’s certification shall state that mate-
S2. Magnetic Particle Method
rial was produced to this supplementary requirement when
S2.1 The purchaser may specify that the magnetic particles applicable.
method described below be used in addition to the micro-
inclusion rating system described in 7.4. The magnetic particle S4. Calculated Hardenability
method measures bearing steel cleanliness by evaluating the S4.1 A calculated hardenability shall be used in lieu of the
total length of macro-inclusions for a stated area or per unit requirements in Section 9. The method used shall be agreed
area. Results are commonly expressed in mm/m2. upon between the purchaser and the steel supplier at the time
S2.2 Sampling—See 7.2. of inquiry and order.
S2.3 Test specimens shall be straight cylinder quarter sec-
tion samples prepared and examined in accordance with the S5. Sample Reduction Ratio
magnetic particle method of Practice E 45. S5.1 For the sampling described in 7.2, the purchaser may
S2.4 For purposes of calculation, an inclusion length shall specify that the reduction ratio from as-cast section to test
be taken as the mean length of the length bracket in which it section be provided.

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