ASTM A756-09(2014)

Standard Specification for Stainless Anti-Friction Bearing Steel

ABSTRACT
This specification deals with the requirements for chromium-carbon bearing quality stainless steel to be used in the manufacture of anti-friction bearings. Chemical requirements shall conform to the required compositions of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, nickel, copper, and molybdenum. Heat analysis and product analysis shall made. Decarburization and surface imperfection limits are specified. When annealing will be made, the steel should have a completely spheroidized microstructure and the hardness is specified.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for chromium-carbon bearing quality stainless steel to be used in the manufacture of anti-friction bearings.  
1.2 Supplementary Requirements of an optional nature are provided and when desired shall be so stated in the order.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2014
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.28 - Bearing and Power Transmission Steels

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A756-09 - Standard Specification for Stainless Anti-Friction Bearing Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014
• Replaced By: ASTM A756-09(2014)e1 - Standard Specification for Stainless Anti-Friction Bearing Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014
• Referred By: ASTM F2332-06(2022) - Standard Specification for Annular Ball Bearings for Instruments and Precision Rotating Components
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: A756 −09(Reapproved 2014)
Standard Specification for
Stainless Anti-Friction Bearing Steel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A756; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Ordering Information
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for 3.1 Orders for material under specification should include
chromium-carbon bearing quality stainless steel to be used in
the following information:
the manufacture of anti-friction bearings.
3.1.1 Quantity,
3.1.2 Grade identification,
1.2 Supplementary Requirements of an optional nature are
provided and when desired shall be so stated in the order. 3.1.3 Specification designation and year of issue,
3.1.4 Dimensions, shape, and
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.1.5 Supplementary Requirements, if desired.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
4. Process
and are not considered standard.
4.1 The steel shall be made by a process that is capable of
2. Referenced Documents
providing a high-quality product meeting the requirements of
this specification.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A484/A484M Specification for General Requirements for
5. Chemical Composition
Stainless Steel Bars, Billets, and Forgings
A751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemi-
5.1 Typical examples of chemical compositions are shown
cal Analysis of Steel Products
in Table 1. Other compositions may be specified.
E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of
5.2 An analysis of each heat of steel shall be made by the
Steel
steel manufacturer in accordance withTest Methods, Practices,
E381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets,
and Terminology A751. The chemical composition thus deter-
Blooms, and Forgings
mined shall conform to the requirements specified in Table 1
E1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur,
for the ordered grade or to requirements agreed upon between
Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt
the manufacturer and the purchaser.
Alloys by Various Combustion and Fusion Techniques
E1077 Test Methods for Estimating the Depth of Decarbur-
5.3 Product analysis may be made by the purchaser in
ization of Steel Specimens
accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology
A751. Permissible variations in product analysis shall be made
2.2 Other Standards:
in accordance with Specification A484/A484M.
ISO 683 Part 17 Ball and Roller Bearing Steels
SAE J418a Grain Size Determination of Steel
6. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
6.1 The size and shape of the material shall be agreed upon
between manufacturer and purchaser.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
6.2 Dimensional tolerances for hot-rolled or hot-rolled and
A01.28 on Bearing Steels.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014. Published October 2014. Originally annealed bars, in straight lengths or coils, and cold-finished
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as A756 – 09. DOI:
bars0.500in.(12.7mm)andlargerindiameterfurnishedunder
10.1520/A0756-09R14.
thisspecificationshallconformtotherequirementsspecifiedin
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
the latest edition of Specification A484/A484M.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
6.3 Dimensional tolerances for cold-finished coils for ball
the ASTM website.
and roller material shall be as shown in Table 2.
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
6.4 Coil tolerances also apply to cold-finished straight
Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr.,Warrendale,
PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org. lengths under 0.500 in. (12.7 mm) in diameter.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A756 − 09 (2014)
A,B
TABLE 1 Chemical Composition
Cu
C D
Number Name C Mn P (max) S (max) Si Cr Ni Mo (max) O (max) Al (max) Other
... 440C 0.95 - 1.20 1.00 max 0.040 0.030 1.00 16.00 - 0.75 0.40 - 0.050 0.0020 0.050 ...
max 18.00 max 0.65
... X30CrMoN15-1 0.25 - 0.35 1.00 max 0.030 0.025 1.00 14.00 - 0.30 0.85 - ... 0.0020 ... N 0.300
max 16.00 -0.50 1.10 -0.500
B50 X47Cr14 0.43 - 0.50 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 12.50 - . . . 0.0020 . .
max 14.50
B51 X65Cr14 0.60 - 0.70 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 12.50 - 0.75 . . 0.0020 . .
max 14.50 max
B52 X108CrMo17 0.95 - 1.20 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 16.00 - . 0.40 - . 0.0020 . .
max 18.00 0.80
B53 X89CrMoV18-1 0.85 - 0.95 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 17.00 - . 0.90 - . 0.0020 . V 0.07 -
max 19.00 1.30 0.12
A
Elements not quoted shall not be intentionally added to the steel without the agreement of the purchaser.
B
Intentional additions of calcium or calcium alloys for deoxidation or inclusion shape control are not permitted unless specifically approved by the purchaser.
C
Steels B50 through B53 meet the requirements of ISO 683, Part 17, Second Edition, Table 3.
D
Oxygen content applies to product analysis and shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods E1019.
TABLE 2 Dimensional Tolerances for Cold-Finished Coils
Method E381 acid and water (1:1) at 160 to 180°F (71 to
Size, in. (mm) Total Tolerance, in. (mm) 82°C). Such specimens shall not exceed S 2, R 2, and C2 of
Through 0.096 (2.44) 0.002 (0.05) Method E381.
Over 0.096 to 0.270 (2.44 to 6.86), incl 0.003 (0.08)
3 3
7.4 Inclusion Rating—The specimens shall be ⁄8 by ⁄4 in.
Over 0.270 to 0.750 (6.86 to 19.1), incl 0.004 (0.10)
(9.5 by 19.1 mm) and shall be taken from an area halfway
between the center and outside of the billet. The polished face
shall be longitudinal to the direction of rolling. The scale used
for rating the specimens shall be the Jernkontoret chart
7. Quality Tests
described in Test Methods E45, Plate I-r. Fields with sizes or
7.1 The supplier shall be held responsible for the quality of
numbers of all types of inclusions intermediate between
the material furnished and shall make the necessary tests to
configurations shown on the chart shall be classified as the
ensure this quality. The supplier shall be required to report on
lesser of the rating number. The worst field of each inclusion
the results of the macroetch and microinclusion rating tests
type from each specimen shall be recorded as the rating for the
detailed below. Quality tests shown in 7.2 through 7.4 are
specimen. Two thirds of all specimens and at least one from
based upon procedures established in Test Methods E45.
each ingot tested, or from the first, middle, and last portion of
the strands tested, as well as the average of all specimens, shall
7.2 Sampling—Samples taken in accordance with the fol-
not exceed the rating specified in Table 3.
lowing paragraphs shall be obtained from 4 by 4-in. (102 by
102-mm) rolled billets or forged sections. Tests may be made
8. Response to Heat Treatment
on smaller or larger sections by agreement with the purchaser.
8.1 For chemical composition 440C, specimens with sec-
Aminimum 3 to 1 reduction of rolled billets or forged sections
tions ⁄8 in. (9.5 mm) in thickness, cut from a bar, billet, or
is required for strand cast products.
forging, shall be placed in a furnace that is at 1875 6 10°F
7.2.1 For top poured products, a minimum of six samples
(1023.8 6 5.5°C), allowed to heat to 1875 6 10°F
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: A756 − 09 A756 − 09 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Specification for
Stainless Anti-Friction Bearing Steel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A756; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*Scope
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for chromium-carbon bearing quality stainless steel to be used in the manufacture
of anti-friction bearings.
1.2 Supplementary Requirements of an optional nature are provided and when desired shall be so stated in the order.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A484/A484M Specification for General Requirements for Stainless Steel Bars, Billets, and Forgings
A751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel
E381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, Blooms, and Forgings
E1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys by
Various Combustion and Fusion Techniques
E1077 Test Methods for Estimating the Depth of Decarburization of Steel Specimens
2.2 Other Standards:
ISO 683 Part 17 Ball and Roller Bearing Steels
SAE J418a Grain Size Determination of Steel
3. Ordering Information
3.1 Orders for material under specification should include the following information:
3.1.1 Quantity,
3.1.2 Grade identification,
3.1.3 Specification designation and year of issue,
3.1.4 Dimensions, shape, and
3.1.5 Supplementary Requirements, if desired.
4. Process
4.1 The steel shall be made by a process that is capable of providing a high-quality product meeting the requirements of this
specification.
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 Typical examples of chemical compositions are shown in Table 1. Other compositions may be specified.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.28
on Bearing Steels.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009Oct. 1, 2014. Published November 2009October 2014. Originally approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 20012009
as A756 – 94A756 – 09. (2001). DOI: 10.1520/A0756-09.10.1520/A0756-09R14.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse, Case postale CP 56, CH-1211,CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland,
http://www.iso.ch.http://www.iso.org.
Available from Society of Automotive Engineers, SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Drive,Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096.15096-0001, http://www.sae.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A756 − 09 (2014)
A,B
TABLE 1 Chemical Composition
Cu
C D
Number Name C Mn P (max) S (max) Si Cr Ni Mo (max) O (max) Al (max) Other
... 440C 0.95 - 1.20 1.00 max 0.040 0.030 1.00 16.00 - 0.75 0.40 - 0.050 0.0020 0.050 ...
max 18.00 max 0.65
... X30CrMoN15-1 0.25 - 0.35 1.00 max 0.030 0.025 1.00 14.00 - 0.30 0.85 - ... 0.0020 ... N 0.300
max 16.00 -0.50 1.10 -0.500
B50 X47Cr14 0.43 - 0.50 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 12.50 - . . . 0.0020 . .
max 14.50
B51 X65Cr14 0.60 - 0.70 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 12.50 - 0.75 . . 0.0020 . .
max 14.50 max
B52 X108CrMo17 0.95 - 1.20 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 16.00 - . 0.40 - . 0.0020 . .
max 18.00 0.80
B53 X89CrMoV18-1 0.85 - 0.95 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 17.00 - . 0.90 - . 0.0020 . V 0.07 -
max 19.00 1.30 0.12
A,B
TABLE 1 Chemical Composition
Cu
C D
Number Name C Mn P (max) S (max) Si Cr Ni Mo (max) O (max) Al (max) Other
... 440C 0.95 - 1.20 1.00 max 0.040 0.030 1.00 16.00 - 0.75 0.40 - 0.050 0.0020 0.050 ...
max 18.00 max 0.65
... X30CrMoN15-1 0.25 - 0.35 1.00 max 0.030 0.025 1.00 14.00 - 0.30 0.85 - ... 0.0020 ... N 0.300
max 16.00 -0.50 1.10 -0.500
B50 X47Cr14 0.43 - 0.50 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 12.50 - . . . 0.0020 . .
max 14.50
B51 X65Cr14 0.60 - 0.70 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 12.50 - 0.75 . . 0.0020 . .
max 14.50 max
B52 X108CrMo17 0.95 - 1.20 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 16.00 - . 0.40 - . 0.0020 . .
max 18.00 0.80
B53 X89CrMoV18-1 0.85 - 0.95 1.00 max 0.040 0.015 1.00 17.00 - . 0.90 - . 0.0020 . V 0.07 -
max 19.00 1.30 0.12
A
Elements not quoted shall not be intentionally added to the steel without the agreement of the purchaser.
B
Intentional additions of calcium or calcium alloys for deoxidation or inclusion shape control are not permitted unless specifically approved by the purchaser.
C
Steels B50 through B53 meet the requirements of ISO 683, Part 17, Second Edition, Table 3.
D
Oxygen content applies to product analysis and shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods E1019.
5.2 An analysis of each heat of steel shall be made by the steel manufacturer in accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and
Terminology A751. The chemical composition thus determined shall conform to the requirements specified in Table 1 for the
ordered grade or to requirements agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser.
5.3 Product analysis may be made by the purchaser in accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology A751.
Permissible variations in product analysis shall be made in accordance with Specification A484/A484M.
6. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
6.1 The size and shape of the material shall be agreed upon between manufacturer and purchaser.
6.2 Dimensional tolerances for hot-rolled or hot-rolled and annealed bars, in straight lengths or coils, and cold-finished bars
0.500 in. (12.7 mm) and larger in diameter furnished under this specification shall conform to the requirements specified in the
latest edition of Specification A484/A484M.
6.3 Dimensional tolerances for cold-finished coils for ball and roller material shall be as shown in Table 2.
6.4 Coil tolerances also apply to cold-finished straight lengths under 0.500 in. (12.7 mm) in diameter.
TABLE 2 Dimensional Tolerances for Cold-Finished Coils
Size, in. (mm) Total Tolerance, in. (mm)
Through 0.096 (2.44) 0.002 (0.05)
Over 0.096 to 0.270 (2.44 to 6.86), incl 0.003 (0.08)
Over 0.270 to 0.750 (6.86 to 19.1), incl 0.004 (0.10)
TABLE 2 Dimensional Tolerances for Cold-Finished Coils
Size, in. (mm) Total Tolerance, in. (mm)
Through 0.096 (2.44) 0.002 (0.05)
Over 0.096 to 0.270 (2.44 to 6.86), incl 0.003 (0.08)
Over 0.270 to 0.750 (6.86 to 19.1), incl 0.004 (0.10)
A756 − 09 (2014)
7. Quality Tests
7.1 The supplier shall be held responsible for the quality of the material furnished and shall make the necessary tests to ensure
this quality. The supplier shall be required to report on the results of the macroetch and microinclusion rating tests detailed below.
Quality tests shown in 7.27.2 through 7.47.4 are based upon procedures established in Test Methods E45.
7.2 Sampling—Samples taken in accordance with the following paragraphs shall be obtained from 4 by 4-in. (102 by 102-mm)
rolled billets or forged sections. Tests may be made on smaller or larger sections by agreement with the purchaser. A minimum
3 to 1 reduction of rolled billets or forged sections is required for strand cast products.
7.2.1 For top poured products, a minimum of six samples representing the top and bottom of first, middle, and last usable ingots
shall be examined.
7.2.2 For bottom poured products, a minimum of six samples shall be examined and they shall represent the top and bottom
of three ingots. One ingot shall be taken at random from the first usable plate poured, one ingot, at random, from the usable plate
poured nearest to the middle of the heat, and one ingot, at random, from the last usable plate poured. When two usable plates
constitute a heat, two of the sample ingots shall be selected from the second usable plate poured. Where a single usable plate
constitutes a heat, any three random ingots may be selected. Other methods of sampling shall be as agreed upon between the
manufacturer and the purchaser.
7.2.3 For strand cast products, a minimum of six samples representing the first, middle, and last portion of the heat cast shall
be examined. At least one sample shall be taken from each strand.
7.3 Macroetch—Specimens representative of cross sections of billets shall be macroetched and rated in accordance with Method
E381 acid and water (1:1) at 160 to 180°F (71 to 82°C). Such specimens shall not exceed S 2, R 2, and C2 of Method E381.
3 3
7.4 Inclusion Rating—The specimens shall be ⁄8 by ⁄4 in. (9.5 by 19.1 mm) and shall be taken from an area halfway between
the center and outside of the billet. The polished face shall be longitudinal to the direction of rolling. The scale used for rating the
specimens shall be the Jernkontoret chart desc
...