A long-life bearing steel for general purpose use is provided at low cost with
no use of specific secondary refining process. Specifically, a bearing material
having a component composition in which C: 0.95 to 1.10 mass %, Si: 0.15 to 0.70
mass %, Mn: 1.15 mass % or less, Cr: 0.90 to 1.60 mass %, and P: 0.025 mass % or
less are contained, S and O, that are elements forming nonmetallic inclusions,
are contained at S: 0.025 mass % or less and O: 0.0012 mass % or less, and the
rest is composed of Fe and incidental impurities, wherein the maximum diameter
of the oxide-based nonmetallic inclusion is more than 10 m, but 15 m
or less in an inspection area: 320 mm2, the number of oxide-based nonmetallic
inclusions having an equivalent circle diameter of 3 m or more is 250 or
less in the inspection area: 320 mm2, while in the material, AlN is
contained at 0.020 mass % or less, and or the number of sulfide-based nonmetallic
inclusions having a thickness of 1 m or more is 1,200 or less in the inspection
area: 320 mm2.
