Steel balls for ballpoint pen
Steel balls are used in the tips of ballpoint pens. To accommodate the diversification of ballpoint pens and the variety of inks available, we are developing and implementing various processing technologies.
Characteristics
Optimal surface performance for ballpoint pens
Carbide balls for ballpoint pens boast excellent wear resistance as they are used under harsh conditions while writing. They also possess surface roughness that provides both corrosion resistance against inks and optimal wettability.
Applications（Examples）
- Ballpoint Pens
- Used as the ball in pen tips, they offer excellent corrosion resistance and deliver a smooth writing experience.
From our Product Representatives
To ensure your satisfaction, we strive to help you achieve both the smoothness that allows for easy ink flow and a firm grip on the paper for reliable writing.
We also accept prototype orders that utilize materials other than the standard carbide.
From development to mass production, please do not hesitate to contact AKS for your ballpoint pen manufacturing needs.
Product Specifications
| Material | Carbide |
|---|---|
| Hardness [HV] | 1300 to 1900 |
Heat resistant steel balls
Heat-resistant steel balls are primarily used in bearings used in high-temperature conditions of around 300°C. They are manufactured with the same dimensional accuracy and finish as steel balls for rolling bearings.
Characteristics
Stable performance even in high temperature conditions
Via utilization of our proprietary processes, we reduce retained austenite—which negatively affects aging—to nearly 0%, ensuring minimal dimensional change and acoustic degradation even in high-temperature conditions.
Applications（Examples）
- Engine Components
- Used in aircraft engine components, offering quality you can trust for these critical components.
From our Product Representatives
As these are extremely important components requiring high precision and high quality, we manufacture them under strict quality control. We are happy to discuss your specific applications and needs, especially concerning high-temperature conditions. Please feel free to contact us.
Product Specifications
1. Dimensions and dimensional accuracy
Conforms to Japanese Industrial Standard JIS B1501-2009
2. Hardness
M50:61 to 64HRC
Carbon steel balls
Carbon steel balls are steel balls whose surface strength has been enhanced by carburizing and quenching carbon steel used for cold forging. They are widely used in everyday items that have rotating parts such as casters.
Applications（Examples）
- Seat adjusters
- Mechanisms for adjusting automobile seats that offer the necessary durability and smooth motion for safe and comfortable driving.
- Casters
- Used in the rotating parts of casters, which enable improved operability via smooth rotation.
From our Product Representatives
AKS has been producing carbon steel balls since its founding. As they have been our main product, we have accumulated an abundance of knowledge about them over the past 100 years.
We also have our own standards for dimensional accuracy and more. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
Product Specifications
1. Chemical composition of material (%)
| C | Mn | P | S | Cr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel ball JIS standard | 0.08 to 0.13 | 0.30 to 0.60 | 0.040 or less | 0.040 or less | 0.20 or less |
*The primary material used is JIS G 3507 SWCH10R.
*Impurities of copper must not exceed 0.30% and nickel must not exceed 0.20%.
*Elements not listed in this table should not be intentionally added except for the purpose of refining molten steel.
2.Grade application range and dimensional accuracy
| Grade | Nominal range of application | Diameter tolerance (μm) | Lot diameter variation (μm) | Sphericity (μm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top grade (100) | 3/8(9.525mm) to 1/2(12.700mm) | ±5.0 | 5 | 2.5 |
| Standard grade (200) | 1/8(3.175mm) to 1/2(12.700mm) | ±5.0 | 10 | 5 |
| Special grade | 1/8(3.175mm) to 1/2(12.700mm) | ±12.5 | 25 | 12.5 |
*Values in parentheses conform to ISO grades.
*Upon request, we can manufacture nominal sizes and grades other than those listed above.
3.Ball surface hardness and crushing load
| Nominal size | Nominal diameter (mm) | Hardness (min.) (HRC) surface measurement | Crushing load (min.) kN {kgf} |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 3.175 | 56.0 | 4.90{ 500} |
| 5/32 | 3.969 | 57.0 | 7.85{ 800} |
| 3/16 | 4.762 | 58.0 | 10.79{1100} |
| 7/32 | 5.556 | 59.0 | 13.73{1400} |
| 15/64 | 5.953 | 59.5 | 15.69{1600} |
| 1/4 | 6.350 | 17.65{1800} | |
| 17/64 | 6.747 | 60.0 | 19.61{2000} |
| 9/32 | 7.144 | 21.57{2200} | |
| 5/16 | 7.938 | 26.48{2700} | |
| 11/32 | 8.731 | 31.38{3200} | |
| 3/8 | 9.525 | 36.28{3700} | |
| 13/32 | 10.319 | 38.25{3900} | |
| 7/16 | 11.112 | 41.19{4200} | |
| 15/32 | 11.906 | 45.11{4600} | |
| 1/2 | 12.700 | 49.03{5000} |
Brass Balls
Made from copper alloy materials with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, these balls are used for applications such as plugging holes in carburetors on motorcycles and automobiles.
Applications（Examples）
- Valves
- Used as components in valves components. They offer corrosion resistance that varies from stainless steel, aiding in the control of gases.
From our Product Representatives
Brass balls have moderate hardness and good ductility, making them highly workable and suitable for sealing holes to prevent leaks.
Additionally, possessing a different type of corrosion resistance from stainless steel, they are used in the control of gases.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require materials with excellent workability and corrosion resistance.
Product Specifications
1. Material
JIS H 3260 (copper and copper alloy wires) C 2700W
2. Dimensions and dimensional accuracy (unit: μm)
| Nominal range | Diameter tolerance | Lot diameter variation (max.) | Sphericity (max.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8(3.175mm) to 1/2(12.700mm) | ±15 | 2 | 2 |
| 9/16(14.288mm) to 1(25.400mm) | 3 | 3 |
Nylon Balls
These balls are characterized by their light weight. They are poor conductors of electricity and heat and are resistant to acids and alkalis. Coloring is also possible.
Applications（Examples）
- Gas cocks
- Used in vehicle wheel bearings and engine components, they provide smooth rotation and durability.
From our Product Representatives
Nylon balls have different properties from metal balls as they are lightweight and resistant to acids and alkalis. We will be happy to make recommendations tailored to your specific applications. Please feel free to contact us.
Product Specifications
1. Material
Polyamide resin (Nylon 66), etc.
2. Dimensions and dimensional accuracy (unit: μm)
| Nominal size | Diameter tolerance | Lot diameter variation (max.) | Sphericity (max.) | |||
| Precision Grade | Top Grade | Precision Grade | Top Grade | Precision Grade | Top Grade | |
| 1/8(3.175mm) to 1/4(6.350mm) | ±20 | ±50 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| 9/32(7.144mm) to 5/8(15.875mm) | 10 | 15 | 5 | 7 | ||
| 3/4(19.050mm) to 1(25.400mm) | 15 | 20 | 7 | 10 | ||
Processed Balls
We can manufacture a wide variety of balls according to your requirements, including balls with holes, grooved balls, grooved balls with holes, flat balls, hollow balls, and more.
Applications（Examples）
- Ball valves
- Used to control fluid flow, they offer smooth motion for high-precision finishing of even complex processing.
From our Product Representatives
At AKS, we have produced a wide array of processed balls.
Terms like ‘balls with a hole in the center’ and ‘grooved balls with holes’ might not immediately be clear just from their names alone.
Please feel free to contact us with any blueprints you have. We will be happy to review them and confirm your request.
Special Metal Balls & Non-Metal Balls
Bronze balls, phosphor bronze balls, MA276 balls, aluminum balls, cemented carbide balls, synthetic resin balls, heat-resistant steel balls (SKH4), etc.
