| Selection Point | Low Carbon Steel Balls | High Carbon Steel Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Representative material | AISI 1010 | AISI 1085 |
| Hardened supply condition | Surface HRC 55–60 | HRC 60–66 |
| Soft supply option | Available according to the confirmed specification | Discuss separately if an unhardened condition is required |
| Information to confirm | Surface hardness, case requirements and downstream processing | Final hardness, dimensions and contact conditions |
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.
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