This paper investigates surface state after turning of the high tempered bearing steel 100Cr6 with a hardness of 40 HRC. White layer (WL) thickness and its microhardness, as well as surface roughness, are investigated as a function of tool flank wear VB as well as cutting speed v_c. The mechanical and thermal load of the machined surface were analysed in order to provide a deeper insight into their superimposing contribution. Cutting energy expressed in terms of cutting force was analyses as that consumed for chip formation F_γ and consumed in the flank wear land F_α. It was found that the mechanical energy expressed in terms of the shear components of the F_α grows with VB, converts to the heat and strongly affects the thickness of the re-hardened layer. Furthermore, the superimposing contribution of the heat generation and its duration in the VB region should also be taken into account. It was also found that the influence of VB predominates over the variable cutting speed.