Stainless Steel Balls

Steel ball grades, materials, and sizes

Steel balls come in diverse shapes and sizes including the popular 300 and 400 series of stainless steel, alongside other compositions of steel alloy balls. Steel balls within these grades include:

1. 400-series steel balls

   – Steel balls within the 400 series are commonly known as ferritic steel balls. They come in a range of varieties and sizes, including small metal balls and ½-inch steel balls. These varieties are determined by the material composition of the steel balls and their properties. Steel balls can be found in sizes ranging from 1.5 mm to 50.8 mm. The common varieties used include:

   1. 440C –

      Used within

      the

      automotive, aerospace, and industrial engineering sector

   2. 420, 420A

      – Used within the automotive, and aerospace industry

   3. 430

      – These steel balls are used in grinding systems, automated systems, and the automotive industry

2. 300-series steel balls

   – Steel balls within this series are composed of austenitic steel. That contains a mix of carbon, chromium, nickel, or manganese depending on the specific application. The use of nickel or manganese ensures steel balls in the 300 series maintain their austenitic features at varying temperatures. They come in sizes across the 1.5 mm to 50 mm range, and the common varieties in the series include: 

   1. 1. 302 stainless steel

         –

         Known for its durability and temperature resistance 

      2. 316 steel balls

         – Known and used for their high resistance to corrosion

      3. 304 stainless steel

         – Highly durable steel with extensive resistance to varying temperatures

3. Chrome steel balls – 52100 steel

   – Various grades of chrome steel balls are used across the automotive industry, industrial manufacturing, and aerosol cans for ball bearings, locking, and mixing purposes. Chrome steel is tagged as 52100 steel in the United States, 100Cr6 in Europe, and GCr15 in China. Chrome steel features include hardness and excellent deformation and wear resistance. 

Industries and their applications

Stainless steel balls are used across popular mechanical systems: from automobile parts to mundane domestic items such as a drawer slide. This results in the availability of a vast range of different grades and sizes. The major industries that rely on steel balls include: 

• Agriculture industry –

  Livestock feeding systems (chicken, turkey, cattle, and swine). 

• Automotive industry

  – Steel balls are used in semi-precision ball bearings and mechanical bearings in vehicles.

• Automation systems

  – Automated mechanisms within these systems rely on the use of steel balls to support moving components while reducing wear.

• Aerospace industry

  – Steel balls are used in developing instrumentation and locking systems with aerospace devices and airplanes. They are also used in bearings within airplane tires and landing gear systems.

• Cosmetics

  – Steel balls are prominently used in aerosol cans and cosmetic products to aid the mixing of the diverse ingredients within them. Here, their high resistance to corrosion and wear makes them a common feature in the cosmetics industry.

• Food processing industry

  – Stainless steel balls are a common feature in food processing systems when corrosion resistance is important to the proper functioning of these systems. Steel balls are commonly used in livestock watering and feeding systems as control valve balls to ensure proper distribution.

• Material handling industry – Stainless steel balls are used in ball bearings for conveyor systems in the material handling industry.

Other industries that rely on a variety of steel balls listed above include the mining, transportation, oil & gas, energy, healthcare, and defense industries. 

FAQs

What are metal balls used for?

Metal balls are used in a wide variety of industrial applications for diverse reasons. These reasons include their resistance to wear for grinding applications, hardness, durability for ball bearings, etc. Your particular project determines the type of steel ball to use.

What are stainless steel balls used for?

Steel balls are used for industrial applications in which hardness, resistance to wear, aesthetics, and corrosion resistance are required. This includes food processing systems, ball bearings, and environments susceptible to the actions of corrosive agents.

What are precision balls used for?

Precision balls are used as a rolling element in ball-bearing assemblies. They are used in aeronautic bearings, automotive bearings, and guidance systems for space and defense applications where high precision is required for the proper function of these systems. 

How do you choose the best stainless steel ball supplier?

Making the right choice involves three important considerations: 

1. Browse through the supplier’s website to understand their capabilities.

2. Check customer recommendations and reviews of the supplier.

3. Request a demonstration of the supplier’s capabilities to meet your customization or industry-specific requests.

4. Speak to the manufacturer’s lead engineer to make sure they are aligned with your requirements. 

Start a stainless steel ball project today

At The Federal Group USA, we make sure that all stainless steel balls meet your needs and industry-specific requirements: from custom steel balls to small metal balls. Contact a TFG sales engineer today.

Global Precision’s Industries Served

Oil Patch: Energy Balls and Rollers

Global Precision Ball & Roller is a major supplier to the oil production industry. We supply S-2 rockbit tool steel balls for down-hole drilling and for use in mud motors. We also supply ceramic balls (silicon nitride, alumina oxide, zirconia) for use in extreme environments.

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Cosmetics, Health and Beauty:
Commercial Balls and Rollers

As a key supplier to the health and beauty industry, Global Precision works with engineers and product designers on a variety of cosmetic, health and beauty projects, such as cosmetic packaging, cosmeceutical applicators, prototype production, nail polish agitators, and roller ball applicators for fragrance and more. We specialize in high volume, cost effective solutions for this sector. All product includes complete material and quality certification by lot number from our ISO-9001:2015 certified factories.

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Automotive Balls and Rollers

Global Precision Ball & Roller products are the smart choice for your automotive applications. Our 52100 chrome, carbon and stainless steel balls and rollers are used in constant velocity joints, seat tracks, seat belts, switches, steering wheels, and idlers. We are a tier one OEM supplier. Our manufacturers are ISO-9001:2015 and TS-16949 certified.

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Aerosol: Commercial and Industrial Balls and Rollers

Valves are one of the most common uses for steel balls. We are proud to supply high-quality valve balls to manufacturers of finger and trigger spray pumps and aerosol valves, paint sprayers, and industrial sprays and finishes.

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Agricultural and Food Applications for Balls and Rollers

In sync with Global Precision’s family values for sustainability, we are proud to support the agricultural farming industry by providing balls for the nurturing, feeding and watering of livestock and crops, from small-scale operations to large-scale production. Other applications include the food processing industry in which products are reduced or ground, as well as further processed using high quality stainless steel materials ideal for this sensitive industry.

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Material Handling: Industrial Balls and Rollers

As a dominant supplier of balls and rollers for a plethora of industrial applications including slewing rings, ball transfers, casters, idlers, clutches, and locks, you can depend upon the team at Global Precision Ball & Roller. If it turns, or rolls, you can count on our balls and rollers to get the job done correctly. Global Precision Ball & Roller is an ISO 9001:2015 certified supplier.

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Energy Sector: Commercial and Industrial Balls

With a keen interest in the Energy sector, Global Precision Ball & Roller is a supplier of balls for the wind turbine market. The most common steel ball use in the energy sector is in the crucial pitch and yaw bearings that give wind turbines their motion. We are also passionate about working with alternative energy producers and projects to help the environment and our world. Global Precision Ball & Roller is an ISO 9001:2015 certified supplier.

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Bearings: Commercial and Industrial Balls

Global Precision is a key supplier of 52100 chrome, carbon, and stainless steel precision, and non-precision balls for applications involving industrial, automotive and commercial motion devices, such as race bearings, sliding doors, furniture, water pumps, cut off-valves, and even appliances. We are a tier one OEM supplier. Our team at Global Precision Ball & Roller is ready to partner with you for all your industrial ball and roller needs on your next project.

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Call us today at 860-210-0808 to learn more about Global Precision’s industries served and the various market applications for our high-quality steel, ceramic, and glass balls and rollers!