Different Types of Steel Balls That Meet Your Needs
Steel balls are spherical components used as rolling mechanisms in rotary motion components such as bearings, tooling, wheels, but there are other use for steel balls such as grinding or burnishing media, toys and more. There are many sizes and gauges used in a variety of applications.
Selecting the Right Steel Ball
When sourcing steel balls, consider your application and the function you need the ball to perform. Various options are available when creating steel balls and bearing balls, so you will need to consider the size and materials.
- Steel balls are available in standard and metric sizes, so determine which is most appropriate for your purpose. Standard-sized steel balls are typically less expensive and normally available for immediate delivery. However, STR Industries will design custom sizes upon request.
- Material choice dictates the physical characteristics of the steel ball, such as hardness, magnetic properties, and oxidation resistance. Steel balls are available in low carbon (1015, 1018), high carbon (1065,1085), chrome (52100), and stainless steel (302, 304, 316, 420, and 440). The intended application will play a significant role in determining the appropriate material choice.
How Steel Balls are Made
Our engineers can provide guidance in selecting the right type of steel balls for your application, including size, materials, and quantities.
Stainless steel and other metal balls are manufactured using the following processes:
- Forging aka cold heading. Rough ball shapes are forged from bar stock material.
- Deflashing. Rough machining or soft grinding removes the forge flashing.
- Heat treatment. Balls are heat treated based on technical specifications in a controlled process.
- Finishing. Stainless steel balls skip this step. Other steel balls may be hardened using heat treatments, quenching, or other tempering methods.
- Hard Grinding. The steel balls are ground to remove nicks and imperfections.
- Lapping. A controlled mechanical sanding/polishing process brings the balls into the intended design, grade dimensions, and spherical accuracy within 1/1,000,000 of an inch.
- Inspection & Packaging. Lubricant or rust-preventive is applied as a final step before the steel balls are inspected and packaged.
Applications for Steel Balls
Steel balls have hundreds of potential uses. Some of the most common applications include:
- Automotive
- Bearings (most common)
- Casters
- Ink/chemicals as grinding media
- Military
- Paint
- Pharmaceuticals
- Rollers
- Sliders
- Sports Equipment
- Toys
Carbon Steel Ball
Material Available
- Low Carbon: AISI 1008~ AISI 1018
- Medium Carbon: AISI 1045
- High Carbon: AISI 1065~ AISI 1085
| AISI Number | C % | Si % | Mn % | Mo % | P % | S % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 1008 | 0.10 Max | 0.30 Max | 0.50 Max | 0.012 | 0.07 Max | 0.06 Max | Case Hardened HRC 55Min |
| AISI 1015 | 0.13~0.18 | 0.10~0.30 | 0.30~0.60 | 0.02 | 0.04max | Case Hardened HRC 55~61 | |
| AISI 1045 | 0.43~0.50 | 0.10~0.30 | 0.60~0.90 | 0.025 | 0.04 Max | 0.05 Max | Through Hardened HRC 60 Min |
| AISI 1086 | 0.83~0.88 | 0.10~0.30 | 0.30~0.70 | 0.04 | 0.04 Max | 0.04 Max | Through Hardened HRC 60 Min |
Chemical Composition
Grade
3 ~ 1000
Size
1.0mm~ 2"
Application
Casters, bicycle parts, light-duty bearing, hardware, toy and etc.
Chrome Steel Ball
| C % | Si % | Mn % | Cr % | Cu % | S % | P % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.90~1.05 | 0.15~0.35 | 0.25~0.45 | 1.35~1.65 | 0.3 Max | 0.03 Max | 0.03 Max |
Chemical Composition
Density
7.84 g/cm3
Hardness
Through hardened, HRC 60 Min. Grade
5~ 1000 grade
Size
0.5mm~5"
Application
Bearing, Ball Screw, Linear motion guide, Automotive parts, Chemical, food processing.
Stainless Steel Ball
Material Available
- AISI 302~AISI 316
- AISI 420~AISI 440C
| AISI Number | C % | Si % | Mn % | Cr % | Ni % | Mo % | P % | S % | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 302 | 0.15 Max | 1.00 Max | 2.00 Max | 17.0~ 19.0 | 8.0~ 10.5 | 0.045 Max | 0.03 Max | Slightly magnetic Austenitic | |
| AISI 304 | 0.07 Max | 1.00 Max | 2.00 Max | 17.0~ 19.0 | 8.50~ 10.5 | 0.045 Max | 0.03 Max | Slightly magnetic Austenitic | |
| AISI 316 | 0.07 Max | 1.00 Max | 2.00 Max | 16.5~ 18.5 | 10.5~ 13.5 | 2000~ 2.50 | 0.045 Max | 0.03 Max | Nonmagnetic Austenitic Excellent corrosion resistance |
| AISI 420J | 0.17~ 0.25 | 1.00 Max | 1.00 Max | 12.0~ 14.0 | 0.045 Max | 0.03 Max | magnetic Hardenable HRC 48 Min fair corrosion resistance | ||
| AISI 430 | 0.08 max | 1.00 Max | 1.00 Max | 15.5~ 17.5 | 0.045 Max | 0.03 Max | fair- good corrosion resistance | ||
| AISI 440C | 0.95~ 1.20 | 1.00 Max | 1.00 Max | 16.0~ 18.0 | 0.40~ 0.80 | 0.04 Max | 0.02 Max | fair corrosion resistance Hardenable HRC 58 Min |
Chemical Composition
Grade
10~1000
Size
0.5mm~2"
Application
Dispenser valve ball, stainless steel bearing, chemical related application
STR Industries manufactures millions of bearing balls. The balls come in many different grades, as defined by the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), which defines the precision of balls. Predictable uniformity, or repeatability, in the manufacturing process is crucial to ensuring consistent performance of STR's bearing balls.
Bearing balls are a type of rolling-element bearing that uses balls to maintain the separation between moving parts. Bearing balls are at the heart of almost every product with a rotating shaft. They are used in bicycles, blenders, washing machines, fans, and many other products.
Bearing Balls and STR Industries
STR Industries has more than 50 years of experience in the manufacturing of steel ball for large and small projects alike. Our customers are located throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Our TS 16949 certification demonstrates our commitment to quality management and continuous improvement, emphasizing defect prevention in design, development, and production with an added commitment to the reduction of waste in all aspects of production. We offer inspection on 100% of our products. Our pricing is very competitive - on average, our customers save 20-30% on manufacturing costs.
If you are in an industry that uses steel balls or bearing balls, STR Industries has a solution for you. Please contact us with the details of your project.
Available Grades and Sizes:
| Grade | Size Range (inches) |
|---|---|
| 3 | 025" - 3/16" |
| 5 | .025" - 1 1/2" |
| 10 | 1/32" - 2 1/2" |
| 16 | 1/32" - 2 1/2" |
| 24 | 1/32" - 2 1/2" |
| Grade | Size Range (inches) |
|---|---|
| 48 | 1/32" - 2 1/2" |
| 100 | 1/32" - 4 1/2" |
| 200 | 1/32" - 4 1/2" |
| 1000 | 1/32" - 4 1/2" |
We can offer balls for any unique applications, such as:
- Games (pinball machines)
- Toys
- Weights
- Medicine Balls
- Dent Removal