Stahlinstitut VDEh https://vdeh.de/en/information/news/ – 27.04.2024

Rolling bearings are bearings in which two components that move relative to each other, the inner and outer ring, are separated by rolling elements. These rolling elements can be balls, barrels, cylinders, cones or needles. The rolling bearing is often used with a stationary outer ring so that the moving inner ring sits on a rotating shaft. The bearings can also be mounted on an axle with a stationary inner ring so that the moving outer ring is fixed, for example, with a rotating wheel. Depending on the bearing, this can absorb radial and/or axial forces. By separating the inner and outer shells with rolling elements, friction is essentially reduced to very low rolling friction.

The concept of the previous editions of DIN EN ISO 683-17 has been retained, but a number of technical changes have been incorporated in the fourth edition. These concern
- the inclusion of the steel grades 50CrMo4 and X30CrMoN15-1,
- Addition of requirements for Ca and Ti content for through-hardening steels,
- Increasing the requirements for the maximum oxygen content for through-hardening and induction-hardening bearing steels;
- Adding an option for the maximum hydrogen content for through-hardening, case-hardening and induction-hardening bearing steels of higher quality.
 
It should be mentioned here that the initiative for the revision of this standard came from the Chinese side, particularly with regard to the tightening of the chemical composition, and that the European side reacted to these demands with approval or restraint. This revised standard represents the state of the art with the compromise found.

This standard can be obtained in german language from:
Beuth Verlag Berlin, DIN EN ISO 683-17:2023-12, Steels intended for heat treatment, alloy steels and free-cutting steels - Part 17: Bearing steels

We would also like to draw your attention to the following DIN pocket books, which are also available from Beuth Verlag (in German too). Although it cannot be guaranteed that the latest version of the standard is printed in these books due to the ongoing revision of standards, these pocket books provide a good overview of the current status of steel standardization in the relevant areas at a reasonable price:
- DIN pocket book 28 - Dimensional standards
- DIN Pocketbook 401 - Steel and iron: Quality standards 1 - General
- DIN Pocketbook 402/1 - Steel and iron: Quality standards 2 - Construction, forming - Part 1: Steels for steel construction, reinforcing and prestressing steel
- DIN-Taschenbuch 402/2 - Steel and iron: Quality standards 2 - Construction, forming - Part 2: Flat products for cold forming and cold rolled flat products
- DIN Pocketbook 404/1 - Steel and iron: Quality standards 4 - Mechanical engineering/toolmaking, Part 1: Engineering steel for general and special purposes
- DIN-Taschenbuch 404/2 - Steel and iron: Quality standards 4 - Mechanical engineering/toolmaking, Part 2: Tubes for mechanical engineering, tool steel and cast steel
- DIN pocket book 405 - Steel and iron: Quality standards 5 - Stainless and other high-alloy steels