High carbon steel wire (e.g., AISI 1085) is cold-headed into blanks, flashed, and ground. The balls are then heated to ~1500–1600°F, quenched to lock in hardness, and tempered to reduce brittleness. Final grinding and polishing ensure dimensional accuracy and smooth surfaces. They meet ABMA standards for sphericity and tolerance (e.g., ±0.0001" for Grade 100).

• Hardness: Through-hardened to HRC 60–65, providing uniform hardness throughout.
• Wear Resistance: High, suitable for heavy loads and wear-intensive applications.
• Corrosion Resistance: Poor; prone to rust in humid or wet conditions without protection.
• Magnetic: Fully magnetic, ideal for applications requiring magnetic properties.
• Load Capacity: Excellent for higher loads compared to low-carbon steel, but more brittle.
• Sizes and Grades: Available from 0.5mm to 50.8mm, in ABMA grades 100–1000 for varying precision.

High carbon steel balls are made from steel alloys with 0.6–1.2% carbon, such as AISI 1060, 1070, or 1085. They contain iron as the primary element, with trace amounts of manganese, sulfur, and phosphorus, but minimal alloying elements like chromium (unlike chrome or stainless steel). They are typically through-hardened for uniform strength.