Abstract: A bearing blank is cast or machined of cast iron to a configuration near a final shape of a desired bearing element. A first surface of the bearing blank, corresponding to a sliding surface of the desired bearing element, is remelted while other portions of the bearing blank remain in a solid state. The remelted first surface is quenched such that fine particles of iron carbide precipitate in a remelted zone having an increased hardness and a decreased presence of graphite particles. A bearing element having a core portion composed of cast iron and an integral first surface portion including a precipitate of fine iron carbide particles, and having greater hardness and lesser incidence of graphite particles than the core portion, is also described.