The present invention provides a steel product which, while minimizing an
increase in hardness after forging to ensure machinability and cold
workability, is improved, for example, in fatigue strength in its
non-hardened portion and is improved, in its hardened portion, in rolling
resistance level, antipitting level, abrasion resistance, and fatigue
strength. The high strength steel for induction hardening comprises, by
mass, carbon (C): 0.5 to 0.7%, silicon (Si): 0.5 to 1.0%, manganese (Mn):
0.5 to 1.0%, chromium (Cr): not more than 0.4%, and sulfur (S): not more
than 0.035% with the balance consisting of iron (Fe) and unavoidable
impurities, the steel being forged to produce a component at least a part
of which is then inductively hardened before use.
