Ball bearings are machine elements used to reduce friction between moving parts.
They must have high hardness, high wear resistance, good fatigue strength, and good dimensional stability.
For this reason, ball bearings are commonly made from chrome carbon steel.
Chrome carbon steel contains carbon and chromium.
Carbon increases hardness and strength.
Chromium improves hardenability, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance to some extent.
Plain carbon steel does not provide the same level of wear resistance and fatigue strength.
Stainless steel may be used in special corrosion-resistant applications, but ordinary ball bearings are commonly made of chrome carbon steel.
Malleable cast iron is not suitable because it does not have the required hardness and fatigue resistance for bearing balls.
Therefore, ball bearings are made of:
\[
\text{Chrome carbon steel}.
\]