100CrMo7-3
EN ISO 683-17 · 1.3539
100CrMo7-3 is a bearing steel (High-Carbon Chromium-Mo family) to EN ISO 683-17 (1.3539). Nominal carbon content is around 0.93 %. Supplied hardened in service; for analysis treat it as elastic (E = 210 GPa) with a hardness- or fracture-based limit. A plain-carbon steel: economical and predictable, strengthened by carbon content and heat treatment rather than alloying.
Bilinear material model — nonlinear FEA
This grade is supplied hardened in service and is not represented as a bilinear material — it has a negligible uniform-plastic range. Model it as elastic (E = 210 GPa) with an appropriate fracture / hardness-based limit.
Ratings — engineering judgement
Weldabilitypoor
Higher carbon (~0.93%) raises the risk of HAZ cracking — preheat and PWHT are usually required, if welding is advisable at all.
Machinabilitygood
Machines well, particularly in the normalised or pre-tempered condition.
Corrosion resistancepoor
No inherent corrosion resistance — protect by paint, galvanising or plating in exposed use.
Hardenabilityexcellent
Designed to through-harden to high hardness for wear and cutting duty.
Toughnesslow
Hard and wear-resistant but low toughness — not for shock loading unless a shock-resisting grade.
Indicative ratings derived from composition and family — engineering guidance, not specification values.
Physical properties
| Density | 7850 | kg/m³ |
| Elastic modulus | 210 | GPa |
| Shear modulus | 80.8 | GPa |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.30 | |
| Thermal expansion | 12.0 | ×10⁻⁶/°C |
| Thermal conductivity | 48 | W/(m·K) |
| Specific heat | 470 | J/(kg·K) |
| Magnetic | Yes |
Typical values for high-carbon chromium-mo steel — use the mill certificate for the specific product.
Chemical composition (wt %)
Nominal composition per EN ISO 683-17 for 100CrMo7-3 — confirm exact limits against the standard.
Available forms
Common applications
- Rolling-element bearings (balls, rollers, rings)
- Cams and rolling contacts
- High-fatigue precision components
History
Through-hardening bearing steels — above all the ~1 % C, 1.5 % Cr grade 100Cr6 (52100) — are made exceptionally clean and uniform so that rolling-contact fatigue life is not cut short by inclusions. They through-harden to ~60–64 HRC for balls, rollers and races.
- 1901High-carbon chromium bearing steel developed for the emerging ball-bearing industry
- 1905SKF and others standardise 52100 / 100Cr6 for rolling bearings
- 1960Vacuum degassing dramatically improves bearing-steel cleanliness and life
This profile is generated from the grade's core data and family. Composition is decoded from the designation where its naming system defines it; physical properties are family-typical and ratings are indicative. Confirm critical values against the governing standard or the mill certificate. Equivalents, historical designations and hand-written expert notes are added per grade over time.