COMPONENT CONFIGURED FROM MARTENSITIC STAINLESS STEEL

摘要

A rolling element bearing includes a plurality of bearing components, which include one or more rolling elements, an inner ring and an outer ring. A first of the bearing components includes martensitic stainless steel configured with a core and a hardened case. The martensitic stainless steel of the core includes approximately 8% by weight or more chromium. The martensitic stainless steel of the hardened case has a grain size that is substantially equal to or finer than ASTM grain size #7. The martensitic stainless steel of the hardened case includes approximately 6% by weight or more chromium, and carbon. Molecules that include the carbon are substantially uniformly dispersed within the hardened case.