What precision grades are available?

G100: sphericity within 2.5 µm (0.0001"). The tightest grade we normally supply in low carbon steel; used for smooth-running drawer slides and ball transfer units. G200: sphericity within 5 µm. Quality drawer slides, locks and detents. G500–G1000: sphericity within 12.5–25 µm (0.0005–0.001"). Casters, conveyors, toys and general hardware. High carbon steel balls can be supplied in tighter grades. For G10–G28, consider AISI 52100 chrome steel balls.

Are high and low carbon steel balls prone to rust, and how can it be prevented

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.

How are High and Low Carbon Steel Balls Manufactured?

Low Carbon Steel Ball: Steel wire (e.g., AISI 1018) is cold-headed into blanks, flashed, and ground. Carburizing (~1700°F in a carbon-rich atmosphere) hardens the outer layer, followed by quenching, tempering, grinding, and polishing. This creates a hard case about 0.4–1.1 mm deep, depending on ball diameter High Carbon Steel Ball : Similar process, but through-hardening involves heating (e.g., 1500–1600°F), quenching, and tempering to achieve uniform hardness. Grinding and polishing ensure precision. Both types meet ABMA grades (100–1000) for sphericity and tolerance.

What are the key properties of High and Low Carbon Steel Balls?

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 60–66; 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.

What are high and low carbon steel balls, and what are their compositions?

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.

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Carbon Steel Balls Manufacturer – Low Carbon, High Carbon & Annealed

RISHENG manufactures carbon steel balls for casters, drawer slides, locks, conveyor components and custom mechanical parts. Explore low carbon and high carbon options, with soft annealed balls available for parts that need further machining or forming.

Start with what the ball needs to do: provide a hardened contact surface, work in a through-hardened condition, or remain soft for the next production step,Available from 1 mm to 25.4 mm in grades G100 to G1000, with material certificates and inspection reports for every batch.

Carbon Steel Ball Specifications at a Glance

Type	Product
Low carbon steel balls	AISI 1010 / 1015 / 1018 (S10C, DC01, C10C)
High carbon steel balls	AISI 1085 (SWRH82A / SWRH82B)
Soft annealed balls	AISI 1010 / 1015 / 1018

Types of Carbon Steel Balls: Low Carbon, High Carbon and Annealed

Low carbon and high carbon Steel Balls describe the material. Soft annealed Carbon Steel Balls describes the delivery condition for parts that need further processing.

Low Carbon Steel Balls

Low carbon steel balls are spherical components made of low carbon steel (carbon content is usually 0.08%~0.25%), mainly produced by processes such as cold heading, heat treatment (such as carburizing or annealing), grinding and polishing.

View Low Carbon Steel Balls Specifications

High Carbon Steel Balls

High-carbon steel balls are spherical components made from high-carbon steel (typically with a carbon content of 0.6% to 1.5%). They are typically produced through a process including forging, heat treatment (throughout quenching and tempering), grinding, and polishing. Compared to low-carbon steel balls, high-carbon steel balls have higher hardness and wear resistance, making them suitable for applications requiring high strength and durability.

View High Carbon Steel Balls Specifications

Soft Annealed Carbon Steel Balls

Soft annealed carbon steel balls for components requiring drilling, machining or forming. Specify the delivery hardness, dimensional requirements and planned processing steps.

View Annealed Steel Ball Specifications

Contact our team of

HIGH & LOW CARBON STEEL BALLS TECHNICAL EXPERT WITH ANY QUESTIONS

Contact Risheng Technical Expert

Choose the Right Carbon Steel Ball for Your Application

Select both the material and the delivery condition of the steel balls. The table below helps you determine which carbon steel balls to consider before confirming dimensions and requirements.

Your Requirement	Recommended Ball	Specify When Ordering
A wear-resistant surface for casters, drawer slides or locks	Low Carbon Steel Balls	Material grade, surface hardness, case depth, diameter, precision grade and rust protection
A through-hardened ball for rolling contact under moderate load	High Carbon Steel Balls	Final hardness, precision grade, load, lubrication and mating parts. For high-load or high-precision bearings, consider 52100 chrome steel balls
A soft ball to be drilled, machined or formed after delivery	Soft Annealed Carbon Steel Balls	Material grade, maximum delivery hardness (HRB or HB), finishing allowance and the next operation. Need the hole made by us? See Custom Drilled Steel Balls.

- Explore Low Carbon Steel Balls →
- Explore High Carbon Steel Balls →

Carbon Steel Ball Applications by Supply Condition

Case-Hardened Low Carbon Steel Balls

For suitable caster swivel assemblies, drawer slides, locks and general hardware requiring a wear-resistant surface.the ball may roll against a track or make repeated contact with another component.

Through-Hardened Balls for Rolling-Contact Components

For suitable conveyor components, ball-transfer assemblies and other rolling-contact parts. Confirm the ball’s role, contact load and mating components before selection.

Soft Annealed Balls for Further Processing

For parts requiring drilling, machining, riveting, staking or other forming operations. Welding suitability must be reviewed for the specified material and joining process.

Carbon Steel Ball Packaging and Delivery

FAQ of High and Low Carbon Steel Balls

Q What precision grades are available?
A
- G100: sphericity within 2.5 µm (0.0001"). The tightest grade we normally supply in low carbon steel; used for smooth-running drawer slides and ball transfer units.
- G200: sphericity within 5 µm. Quality drawer slides, locks and detents.
- G500–G1000: sphericity within 12.5–25 µm (0.0005–0.001"). Casters, conveyors, toys and general hardware.
- High carbon steel balls can be supplied in tighter grades. For G10–G28, consider AISI 52100 chrome steel balls.
Q Are high and low carbon steel balls prone to rust, and how can it be prevented
A
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.
Q How are High and Low Carbon Steel Balls Manufactured?

A Low Carbon Steel Ball: Steel wire (e.g., AISI 1018) is cold-headed into blanks, flashed, and ground. Carburizing (~1700°F in a carbon-rich atmosphere) hardens the outer layer, followed by quenching, tempering, grinding, and polishing. This creates a hard case about 0.4–1.1 mm deep, depending on ball diameter

High Carbon Steel Ball : Similar process, but through-hardening involves heating (e.g., 1500–1600°F), quenching, and tempering to achieve uniform hardness. Grinding and polishing ensure precision. Both types meet ABMA grades (100–1000) for sphericity and tolerance.
Q What are the key properties of High and Low Carbon Steel Balls?
A
- 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 60–66; 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.
Q What are high and low carbon steel balls, and what are their compositions?
A
- 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.