This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: A485 − 17 (Reapproved 2022)

Standard Specification for

High Hardenability Antifriction Bearing Steel1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A485; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* E1077 Test Methods for Estimating the Depth of Decarbur-

1.1 This specification covers high hardenability modifica- ization of Steel Specimens
tions of high-carbon bearing quality steel to be used in the 2.2 Other Standards:
manufacture of antifriction bearings. SAE J148a Grain Size Determination of Steel3
ISO 683 Part 17: Ball and Roller Bearing Steels4
1.2 Supplementary requirements of an optional nature are
provided and when desired shall be so stated in the order. 3. Ordering Information
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.1 Orders for material under this specification should
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical include the following information:
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 3.1.1 Quantity (weight or number of pieces),
and are not considered standard. 3.1.2 Grade identification,
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.1.3 ASTM designation and year of issue,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3.1.4 Dimensions,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.1.5 Supplementary requirements, if included.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4. Process
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 4.1 The steel shall be made by a process that is capable of
providing a high quality product meeting the requirements of
2. Referenced Documents this specification.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 5. Chemical Composition and Analysis
A29/A29M Specification for General Requirements for Steel
5.1 Typical examples of chemical compositions are shown
Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought
in Table 1. Other compositions may be specified.
A255 Test Methods for Determining Hardenability of Steel
A751 Test Methods and Practices for Chemical Analysis of 5.2 An analysis of each heat of steel shall be made by the
Steel Products steel manufacturer in accordance with Test Methods and
E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Practices A751. The chemical composition thus determined
Steel shall conform to the requirements specified in Table 1 for the
E381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, ordered grade or to other requirements agreed upon between
Blooms, and Forgings manufacturer and purchaser.
E1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, 5.3 Product analysis may be made by the purchaser in
Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt accordance with Test Methods and Practices A751. Permissible
Alloys by Various Combustion and Inert Gas Fusion variations in product analysis shall be in accordance with
Techniques Specification A29/A29M.

1
6. Sizes, Shapes, and Dimensional Tolerances
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 6.1 The physical size and shape of the material shall be
A01.28 on Bearing and Power Transmission Steels. agreed upon between manufacturer and purchaser.
Current edition approved March 1, 2022. Published March 2022. Originally
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as A485 – 17. DOI:
3
10.1520/A0485-17R22. Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or PA 15096, http://www.sae.org.
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Central Secretariat, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva,
the ASTM website. Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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

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 A485 − 17 (2022)
TABLE 1 Chemical CompositionA, B

ISOC Name C Mn P (max) S (max) Si Cr Ni (max) Ti (max) Cu (max) Mo O (max)D Al (max)

... 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
... 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
... 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
... 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
ISO 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
ISO 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
ISO 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
ISO 100CrMo7 0.93–1.05 0.25–0.45 0.025 0.015 0.15–0.45 1.65–1.95 ... 0.30 0.15–0.30 0.0015 0.050
E
ISO 100CrMo7–3 0.93–1.05 0.60–0.80 0.025 0.015 0.15–0.45 1.65–1.95 ... 0.30 0.20–0.35 0.0015 0.050
E
ISO 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
ISO 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 listed as ISO meet the requirements of ISO 683, Part 17, Third Edition, Table 3.
D
Oxygen content applies to product analysis and shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods E1019.
E
A maximum titanium content may be agreed upon at the time of inquiry and order.

TABLE 2 Inclusion Rating

6.2 Dimensional tolerances for hot-rolled or hot-rolled and Rating Units
annealed bars, in straight lengths or coils, and cold-finished Thin Series Heavy Series
bars furnished under this specification shall conform to the A—2.5 A—1.5
requirements specified in the latest edition of Specification B—2.0 B—1.0
A29/A29M. C—0.5 C—0.5
D—1.0 D—1.0

7. Quality Tests
7.1 The supplier shall be held responsible for the quality of TABLE 3 Hardenability Values
the material furnished and shall make the necessary tests to Rockwell C
ensure this quality. The supplier shall be required to report on Minimum Rockwell C Values at Sixteenth of Inch
the results of the micro-inclusion rating tests detailed below. Grade 10 20 28
Quality tests shown in 7.1 through 7.3 are based upon 1 46 ... ...
2 ... 52 32
procedures established in Test Methods E45. 3 46 ... ...
7.2 Sampling—Samples taken in accordance with the fol- 4 ... 52 35

lowing paragraphs shall be obtained from 4 in. by 4 in.

(102 mm by 102 mm) rolled billets or forged sections. Tests
may be made on smaller or larger sections by agreement with for rating the specimens shall be the chart described in Test
the purchaser. A minimum of 3 to 1 reduction of rolled billets Methods E45, Method A, Plate I-A. Inclusion fields with sizes
or forged sections is required for strand cast products. or numbers intermediate between configurations shown on the
7.2.1 For top poured products, a minimum of six samples chart shall be classified as the lesser of the rating number. The
representing the top and bottom of the first, middle and last worst field of each inclusion type from each specimen shall be
usable ingots shall be examined. recorded as the rating for the specimen. Two thirds of all
7.2.2 For bottom poured products, a minimum of six specimens and at least one from each ingot tested, or from the
samples shall be taken from semi-finished or finished product first, middle and last portion of the strands tested as well as the
representing the top and bottom of three ingots. One ingot shall average of all specimens, shall not exceed the rating specified
be taken at random from the first usable plate poured, one ingot in Table 2.
at random from the usable plate poured nearest to the middle of
the heat, and one ingot at random from the last usable plate 8. Grain Size
poured. When a heat is constituted by two usable plates, two of 8.1 The steels covered by this specification shall have the
the sample ingots shall be selected from the second usable plate capability of showing fine fracture grain size (approximately
poured. When a heat consists of a single usable plate, any three ASTM No. 8) (SAE J418a) when quenched from normal
random ingots may be selected. Other methods of sampling austenizing temperatures not exceeding 1550 °F (843 °C).
shall be as agreed upon between manufacturer and purchaser.
7.2.3 For strand cast products, a minimum of six samples 9. Hardenability
representing the first, middle, and last portion of the heat cast 9.1 Each heat of the grades in Table 3 shall be tested for
shall be examined. At least one sample shall be taken from hardenability. Normalizing followed by spheroidize annealing
each strand. shall precede heating for end quenching. In heating for end
7.3 Inclusion Rating—Specimens approximately 3⁄8 in. by 3⁄4 quenching, the test specimens shall be held for a minimum of
in. (9.5 mm by 19.1 mm) shall be taken from an area halfway 30 min at 1500 °F 6 8 °F (815 °C 6 4.5 °C). End-quench
between the center and outside of the billet. The polished face procedure shall be in accordance with Test Methods A255. The
shall be longitudinal to the direction of rolling. The scale used “J” values for hardenability as shown in Table 3 shall apply.

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 A485 − 17 (2022)
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), incl 0.017 (0.43) 0.022 (0.56) 0.020 (0.51) 0.017 (0.43) 0.014 (0.36)
Over 2.000 (50.8) to 3.000 (76.2), incl 0.025 (0.64) 0.030 (0.76) 0.030 (0.76) 0.025 (0.64) 0.019 (0.48)
Over 3.000 (76.2) to 4.000 (101.6), incl 0.035 (0.89) 0.045 (1.14) 0.035 (0.89) ... 0.024 (0.61)
Over 4.000 (101.6) to 5.000 (127.0), incl 0.055 (1.40) 0.065 (1.65) 0.040 (1.02) ... 0.028 (0.71)

TABLE 5 Hardness Limits for Annealed Material

Maximum Hardness
Product Condition
Brinell Rockwell
Coils hot-rolled, annealed ... B97
Bars and tubes hot-rolled, annealed 217 ...
Coils annealed, cold drawn (stress relieved) ... B92
Coils, bars, and tubes annealed, cold drawnA 260 ...
A
Cold swaged material is not included.

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,
Methods E1077. unless otherwise agreed to.
11. Microstructure and Hardness 13. Certification and Reports
11.1 The material shall be free of excessive carbide segre-
gation. 13.1 Upon request of the purchaser in the contract or order,
a manufacturer’s certification that the material was manufac-
11.2 When annealing is specified in the order, the steel shall
tured and tested in accordance with this specification together
have a microstructure completely spheroidized, or as agreed
with a report of the test results shall be furnished at the time of
upon, and the maximum hardness as specified in Table 5.
shipment. Special requirements agreed to at the time of
12. Inspection purchase must be noted on the certification.
12.1 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s inspector
all reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that the

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 method measures bearing steel cleanliness by evaluating the
S1.1 The purchaser may specify that the “SAM” inclusion total length of macro-inclusions for a stated area or per unit
rating method, described in Method E of Test Methods E45, be area. Results are commonly expressed in mm/m2.
used in addition to the micro-inclusion rating method described S2.2 Sampling—See 7.2.
in 7.3. S2.3 Test specimens shall be straight cylinder quarter sec-
S1.2 Sampling—See Section 7. tion samples prepared and examined in accordance with the
S1.3 Limits—The “SAM” rating for Type B inclusions shall magnetic particle method of Test Methods E45.
not exceed 15. The “SAM” rating for Type D inclusions shall S2.4 For purposes of calculation, an inclusion length shall
not exceed 10. be taken as the mean length of the length bracket in which it
falls; that is, an inclusion in the 1⁄16 to 1⁄8 in. bracket shall be
S2. Magnetic Particle Method taken as being 3⁄32 in length. The sum of all lengths for each
S2.1 The purchaser may specify that the magnetic particles specimen shall be determined and expressed as total length per
method described below be used in addition to the micro- area inspected. The average total length per area inspected of
inclusion rating system described in 7.3. The magnetic particle all six specimens shall not exceed 200 mm/m2 (or equivalent).

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 A485 − 17 (2022)
S3. Sulfur Requirements for Machinability S6. Macroetch Testing
S3.1 The sulfur content shall be 0.015–0.030 %. S6.1 Sampling—See 7.2.
S3.2 The sulfide (type A) rating units in Table 2 shall be 3.0 S6.2 Specimens representative of the full cross section of
thin and 2.0 heavy.
bars, billets, or blooms shall be macroetched and rated in
S3.3 The manufacturer’s certification shall state that mate-
accordance with Method E381 in hydrochloric acid and water
rial was produced to this supplementary requirement when
(1:1) at a temperature of 160 to 180 °F (71 to 82 °C). Such
applicable.
specimens shall not exceed S2, R2, C2 of Method E381.
S4. Calculated Hardenability Indications due to sulfur segregation (commonly referred to as
S4.1 A calculated hardenability shall be used in lieu of the Type A segregates) are not to be included in the rating. For
requirements in Section 9. The method used shall be agreed ingot cast material only, if the size and weight of the bars,
upon between the purchaser and the steel supplier at the time billets, or blooms prevent the full cross section from being
of inquiry and order. macroetched, an oversize quarter-section may be used as an
alternative. The quarter-section must meet the reduction re-
S5. Sample Reduction Ratio quirement of 7.2 and contain both the surface and center of the
S5.1 For the sampling described in 7.2, the purchaser may original cross section before reduction.
specify that the reduction ratio from as-cast section to test
section be provided.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (A485 – 14)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Sept. 1, 2017.)

(1) Table 1—ISO grade number designations revised.

(2) Table 1—Grades 100CrMo7 and 100CrMo7-3, chemistry
was revised.

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