Acero para rodamientos EN 100Cr6: Propiedades, Aplicaciones, y guía de fabricación

Si trabajas en industrias como la automotriz., aeroespacial, o maquinaria industrial, Probablemente hayas oído hablar del acero para rodamientos.. Among the most widely used options is EN 100Cr6 bearing steel—a high-carbon, Acero aleado de cromo diseñado para componentes que necesitan una resistencia al desgaste y a la fatiga excepcionales.. Esta guía desglosa todo lo que necesita saber sobre EN 100Cr6, from its core properties to real-world uses and how it compares to other materials.

1. Material Properties of EN 100Cr6 Bearing Steel

Understanding EN 100Cr6 starts with its properties, which make it ideal for high-stress bearing applications. Below is a detailed breakdown of its chemical, physical, mecánico, and other key properties.

1.1 Composición química

EN 100Cr6’s composition is tightly regulated to ensure consistency and performance. The table below shows its typical chemical makeup (para ES 10083-3 estándares):

1.2 Propiedades físicas

These properties define how EN 100Cr6 behaves under physical conditions like temperature and magnetic fields:

• Densidad: 7.85 gramos/cm³ (same as most carbon steels)
• Punto de fusión: 1,420 – 1,460 °C (2,588 – 2,660 °F)
• Conductividad térmica: 46.5 con/(m·K) en 20 °C (room temperature)
• Coeficiente de expansión térmica: 11.5 × 10⁻⁶/°C (de 20 – 100 °C)
• Propiedades magnéticas: Ferromagnético (attracts magnets), which is useful for sorting and inspection.

1.3 Propiedades mecánicas

Mechanical properties determine how EN 100Cr6 performs under force. These values are measured after standard heat treatment (temple y revenido):

1.4 Otras propiedades

Two critical properties make EN 100Cr6 stand out for bearings:

• Resistencia al desgaste: Its high carbon and chromium content form hard carbides, reducing wear from rolling or sliding contact.
• Fatigue Resistance: It can withstand millions of load cycles without failing—essential for bearings in cars or industrial machines.
• Resistencia a la corrosión: Moderado (not as good as stainless steel). It needs coatings (like zinc plating) for wet or harsh environments.
• Templabilidad: Easy to heat treat to high hardness across thick sections, ensuring uniform performance in large components.

2. Applications of EN 100Cr6 Bearing Steel

EN 100Cr6’s properties make it perfect for components that face repeated stress and wear. Here are its most common uses:

• Aspectos: El #1 use—including ball bearings, roller bearings, and needle bearings. These are found in car engines, motores electricos, and bicycles.
• Rolling Elements: The balls, rodillos, or needles inside bearings rely on EN 100Cr6’s wear resistance.
• Races: The inner/outer rings of bearings (where rolling elements move) are often made from EN 100Cr6.
• Componentes automotrices: Beyond bearings, it’s used for camshafts, valve lifters, and gearbox parts—all of which need high durability.
• Maquinaria Industrial: Cajas de cambios, transportadores, and pumps use EN 100Cr6 parts to handle heavy loads and long operating hours.
• Componentes aeroespaciales: Small bearings in aircraft landing gear or engine accessories (where weight and reliability matter).
• Dispositivos médicos: Precision bearings in MRI machines or surgical tools (thanks to its magnetic properties and strength).

3. Manufacturing Techniques for EN 100Cr6

Producing EN 100Cr6 requires careful steps to ensure quality. Here’s the typical process:

1. Steelmaking:

• Most EN 100Cr6 is made using an Horno de arco eléctrico (EAF) o Horno de oxígeno básico (BOF). EAF is more common for recycling scrap steel, while BOF uses iron ore. The goal is to melt raw materials and adjust the chemical composition to meet EN standards.

2. Laminación:

• Después de la fabricación de acero, the metal is Hot Rolled into billets or bars (en 1,100 – 1,200 °C) to shape it. For precision parts, it’s then Cold Rolled (at room temperature) to improve surface finish and dimensional accuracy.

3. Tratamiento térmico:

• This step is critical for EN 100Cr6’s performance:
• Temple: Heating the steel to 820 – 860 °C, then rapidly cooling it in oil or water to harden it.
• Templado: Reheating to 150 – 200 °C to reduce brittleness while keeping high hardness.
• Carburación: Sometimes used for parts needing a hard outer layer (p.ej., dientes de engranaje) — heating in a carbon-rich atmosphere to add carbon to the surface.

4. Mecanizado:

• After heat treatment, parts are machined to final shapes using Torneado (for cylindrical parts like bearing races) o Molienda (for ultra-smooth surfaces, critical for bearing performance).

5. Control de calidad:

• Inspections include:
• Chemical analysis (to check element content).
• Hardness testing (using Rockwell or Vickers machines).
• Non-destructive testing (como pruebas ultrasónicas) to find internal cracks.
• Controles dimensionales (using calipers or CNC measuring tools) to ensure parts fit.

4. Estudios de caso: EN 100Cr6 in Action

Real-world examples show how EN 100Cr6 solves industry problems.

Estudio de caso 1: Automotive Bearing Failure Analysis

A car manufacturer noticed frequent bearing failures in their SUV engines. After testing, engineers found the original bearings used a low-grade steel that wore out after 50,000 km. They switched to EN 100Cr6 bearings, which had higher wear resistance. Post-switch, failure rates dropped by 80%, and bearing life extended to 150,000 km.

Estudio de caso 2: High-Speed Train Bearing Optimization

A railway company needed bearings for high-speed trains (arriba a 300 km/h) that could handle vibration and heat. They chose EN 100Cr6 for its fatigue resistance and worked with manufacturers to add a ceramic coating (for extra heat protection). The new bearings lasted 2x longer than the previous stainless steel ones, reduciendo los costos de mantenimiento mediante 35%.

5. EN 100Cr6 vs. Other Bearing Materials

How does EN 100Cr6 stack up against other common options? The table below compares key factors:

Yigu Technology’s Perspective on EN 100Cr6

En Yigu Tecnología, we’ve seen EN 100Cr6 become a cornerstone for our clients in automotive and industrial machinery. Its balance of wear resistance, resistencia a la fatiga, and cost-effectiveness makes it unmatched for most bearing applications. We often recommend EN 100Cr6 for clients looking to cut maintenance costs—paired with our precision machining, it delivers parts that last 15-20% longer than standard steel options. For harsh environments, we also offer custom coatings (like zinc or ceramic) to boost EN 100Cr6’s corrosion resistance, meeting even the strictest industry needs.

FAQ About EN 100Cr6 Bearing Steel

1. Can EN 100Cr6 be used in wet or corrosive environments?

EN 100Cr6 has moderate corrosion resistance. For wet or harsh environments (like marine or food processing), it needs a protective coating (p.ej., zinc plating or chrome plating) to prevent rust.

2. What heat treatment is required for EN 100Cr6 bearings?

The standard heat treatment is quenching (820–860 °C, rapid cooling) followed by tempering (150–200°C). This process achieves the high hardness (60–64 HRC) and fatigue resistance needed for bearings.

3. How does EN 100Cr6 compare to AISI 52100?

They are nearly identical! EN 100Cr6 is the European standard, while AISI 52100 is the U.S. estándar. Both have the same carbon (0.95–1.05%) y cromo (1.30–1.65%) contenido, so they can be used interchangeably in most applications.