This specification covers requirements for ferrous and nonferrous inch balls. The balls are intended for use in bearings, bearing applications, check valves, and other components using balls. These balls are classified into fourteen kinds according to their chemical composition: Composition 1 (chrome alloy steel), Composition 2 (corrosion-resistance hardened steel), Composition 3 (carbon steel), Composition 4 (silicon molybdenum steel), Composition 5 (brass), Composition 6 (bronze), Composition 7 (aluminum bronze), Composition 8 (beryllium copper alloy), Composition 9 (nickel-copper alloy or Monel), Composition 10 (nickel-copper-aluminum alloy or K-Monel), Composition 11 (aluminum alloy), Composition 12 (tungsten carbide), Composition 13 (premium quality bearing steel or double vacuum melted M-50), and Composition 14 (corrosion resisting unhardened steel). Ball samples shall be subjected to a series of tests in order to determine the following properties: density, hardness, fracture grain size, porosity, surface roughness, decarburization, case depth, and passivation. Eddy current test, visual test, and dimensional test shall also be performed.

1.1 This specification covers requirements for ferrous and nonferrous inch balls. The balls covered in this specification are intended for use in bearings, bearing applications, check valves, and other components using balls.

1.2 This is a general specification. The individual item requirements shall be as specified herein in accordance with the Annex A2 through Annex A9 MS sheet standards. In the event of any conflict between requirements of this specification and the Annex A2 through Annex A9 MS sheet standards, the latter shall govern.

1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.4 This specification contains many of the requirements of MIL-B-1083, which was originally developed by the Department of Defense and maintained by the Defense Supply Center Richmond. The following government activity codes may be found in the Department of Defense, Standardization Directory SD-1.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.