Abstract: In a process for case-hardening rolling bearing elements of low-alloy nickeliferous steel, the rolling bearing elements are carburized in a dissociating carburizing gas, cooled down, heated to hardening temperature, austenitized in the carburized layer and, lastly, quenched.So that no brittleness of the rolling bearing elements takes place upon carburization due to dissociated hydrogen, the bearing elements are cooled from carburizing heat down to about 300.degree. C. in agitated inert gas and then held at this temperature, so that sufficient dissociated hydrogen escapes from the carburized layer of the rolling bearing elements. Subsequent heating of the said elements to hardening temperature or to intermediate annealing temperature is advantageously effected after holding at 300.degree. C.