Short answer: GCr15, AISI/SAE 52100, JIS SUJ2, EN/DIN 100Cr6 and material number 1.3505 are widely referenced as comparable high-carbon chromium bearing steel designations. They should not be described as automatically identical or interchangeable because a steel specification covers more than nominal chemical composition.
Designation Cross-Reference
| System or market | Common designation | Buyer action |
|---|---|---|
| China | GCr15 | State the applicable Chinese product and quality standard. |
| United States | 52100 | State the required material specification, product form and quality level. |
| Japan | SUJ2 | State the applicable JIS document and edition. |
| Europe / Germany | 100Cr6 / 1.3505 | State the applicable EN/DIN product specification. |
Primary Source: SKF’s Equivalence Note
SKF’s official Steel and Heat Treatment publication lists 100Cr6, 52100, SUJ2, GCr15 and 1.3505 together as comparable steel designations for a through-hardening bearing steel. The same SKF table includes an important caution: a steel specification covers more quality aspects than chemical composition alone.
Why “Equivalent” Does Not Mean “Identical”
A buyer comparing bearing steels may need to evaluate:
- the exact standard and edition;
- product form, dimensions and tolerances;
- chemical composition limits;
- cleanliness and inclusion requirements;
- carbide distribution and segregation controls;
- surface decarburization and defects;
- delivery and heat-treatment condition;
- inspection method, sampling and documentation.
The required controls depend on the component and purchasing specification. A grade name by itself does not establish bearing-component suitability.
RFQ Checklist for Bearing Steel Strip
| RFQ field | Example of the required detail |
|---|---|
| Designation and standard | GCr15 to the buyer’s identified specification and edition |
| Product form | Cold-rolled strip, slit coil or another agreed form |
| Dimensions | Thickness, width and dimensional tolerances |
| Condition | Annealed or another agreed delivery condition |
| Quality requirements | Applicable cleanliness, carbide, decarburization or surface criteria |
| Testing | Required reports, test methods and acceptance criteria |
| Commercial information | Quantity, coil requirements and destination |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are GCr15, 52100, SUJ2 and 100Cr6 the same steel?
They are commonly treated as comparable high-carbon chromium bearing steel designations from different systems, but the governing specifications can differ in more than chemistry. Confirm the exact standard, edition, product form and quality requirements before substitution.
Does matching chemical composition prove interchangeability?
No. Bearing steel specifications may also control cleanliness, segregation, carbide structure, decarburization, heat treatment, dimensions, testing and other quality requirements.
Can Hengtaifeng confirm feasibility from the grade name alone?
No. A feasibility review requires the complete strip specification, including dimensions, condition, quality requirements, testing, quantity and destination.
Related Pages
Review GCr15 bearing steel strip, bearing steel strip applications, and the precision steel strip RFQ checklist.