Controlling residual stresses in 52100 bearing steel by heat treatment

Compressive residual stresses can be induced in the surface of quenched and tempered 52100 steel (1 pct carbon, 1.5 pct chromium) by austenitizing in a carburizing atmosphere, even though the austenitizing temperature is well below that needed to dissolve all pri-mary carbides. The carburized surface layer contains a larger volume fraction of pri-mary carbides, more retained austenite and is slightly harder than the interior. Rolling contact fatigue tests show that carburizing can produce a 50 pct improvement in the fa-tigue life of 52100 steel.