High and Low Carbon Steel Balls From China

• Grade 100: Ultra-precise (±0.0001" deviation), for semi-precision bearings.

• Grade 500–1000: Commercial tolerance (±0.0005–0.001"), for casters, slides, toys. High-carbon balls are more common in higher grades for demanding applications.

Both types rust easily due to minimal alloying. Prevention includes:

• Applying rust-inhibiting oil or coatings (e.g., zinc or chrome plating).

• Storing in dry, sealed containers.

• Regular polishing for apps like conveyors or paper handling to avoid rust marks. For wet environments, stainless steel is a better choice.

• Low-Carbon Steel Balls:

  • Hardness: Case-hardened to HRC 55–62 (surface); softer core (~HRC 20–30) for shock resistance.

  • Wear Resistance: Moderate; suitable for low to medium loads.

  • Corrosion Resistance: Poor; rusts in humid or wet conditions without protection.

  • Magnetic: Fully magnetic.

  • Cost: Cheaper, ideal for budget applications.

• High-Carbon Steel Balls:

  • Hardness: Through-hardened to HRC 60–65; uniform throughout.

  • Wear Resistance: High; better for heavier loads and wear-intensive uses.

  • Corrosion Resistance: Poor, similar to low-carbon; requires coatings or dry storage.

  • Magnetic: Fully magnetic.

  • Cost: More expensive than low-carbon but cheaper than chrome/stainless steel.

• Low-Carbon Steel Balls: Made from steel with ~0.05–0.3% carbon (e.g., AISI 1010, 1015, 1018). They are softer, more ductile, and often case-hardened for a hard outer shell.

• High-Carbon Steel Balls: Contain ~0.6–1.2% carbon (e.g., AISI 1060, 1085). Typically through-hardened for uniform hardness, making them harder but more brittle.

• Both are primarily iron with trace elements (e.g., manganese, sulfur) and lack significant alloying like chromium, unlike stainless or chrome steel.