A case hardening bearing steel having an excellent rolling contact fatigue
life in intermediate temperature, in addition, excellent toughness at
room temperature is provided. Specific means for solving the problems are
as follows. The composition contains, by mass percent, C of 0.15 to 0.30
mass percent, Si of 0.5 to 2.0 mass percent, Mn of 0.3 to 2.0 mass
percent, Cr of 1.3 to 2.5 mass percent, Mo of 0.3 to 1.0 mass percent,
and O of not more than 0.0012 mass percent in a range where
(Si+Mo).gtoreq.1.0 mass percent is satisfied, and contains iron and
inevitable impurities as remnant; the maximum size of oxide nonmetallic
inclusion is not more than 12.5 .mu.m when examined area is 320 mm.sup.2;
number of the oxide nonmetallic inclusion having a diameter of equivalent
circle of 3 .mu.m or more is not more than 250 when the examined area is
320 mm.sup.2; in addition, C density of an outer layer is adjusted to be
in a range from 0.7 to 1.2 mass percent by carburization.