7038 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 7038 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 190 x 290 x 46 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | NTN |
| Bore diameter d | 190 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 290 mm |
| Width B | 46 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | brass |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 248 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 280 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 12.6 kN |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 2200 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 10800 g |
| Manufacturer designation | NTN 7038 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203E |
| Last verified | 2026-10-01 |
Source: catalog reference (NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203E) · extracted 2026-10-01
Parameters extracted from the official NTN Ball and Roller Bearings catalogue (NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203E); NTN® is a trademark of NTN Corporation, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized NTN distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at ntnglobal.com.
Dimensions in inches & 7000-series range
| Bore d | 7.48 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 11.417 in |
| Width B | 1.811 in |
| ISO bore code | 38 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 50 mm |
| Smallest bore in 7000-series | 10 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 7000-series | 420 mm |
| Width range across 7000-series | 8–65 mm |
| Bore position in 7000-series (smallest first) | 31 of 36 |
| Bore above smallest 7000-series size | 180 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7038-BGM | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 190×290×46 mm envelope per ISO 15; catalogue load ratings differ by >10% — re-rate the application before substituting. |
Interchange levels: full standard interchange · partial verify parameters · verify manual confirmation required. Links resolve to the equivalent model's specification page where available.
How the 7038 model number is decoded
The standard-section 7000 single-row family entry 7038 carries a 190 mm bore in a 290 mm outside diameter, 46 mm wide envelope. Decoding 7038: 70 is the single-row dimension series (standard-section 7000 single-row family), with 38 encodes the 190 mm bore (bore code x 5); with no letter after the digits it is the standard 30 deg contact-angle execution — the 40 deg version carries a B. The 30 deg contact angle is the lever that turns the 280 kN static rating into useful one-direction thrust capacity. Against a deep-groove bearing of the same 190 mm bore, this bearing trades some pure-radial comfort for real one-direction thrust capacity and higher running accuracy. Grease quantity matters as much as grade at 2,200 r/min: fill about a third of the free space and let the bearing purge on first run.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- steel-plant conveyor and table roll drives
- wind-turbine and heavy-machinery auxiliaries
- heavy industrial gearbox main shafts
- large fan, blower and turbo-compressor rotors
Known failure patterns
- impact brinelling dents on the 30 deg contact path after a shaft-side hammer blow during mounting, because axial shock travels straight through the contact angle
- thermal runaway from excessive preload: the pair runs hot, grease darkens and the contact ellipse spreads until the raceways smear
- resin-cage cracking on the 7900-series sizes after hot, dry running or solvent attack on the polymer
- current-erosion pitting on VFD-driven motor shafts, first visible as a grey frosted band across both raceways
- current-erosion pitting on VFD-driven motor shafts, first visible as a grey frosted band across both raceways
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At this size the shaft fit, shoulder geometry and preload procedure dominate the outcome; a 190 mm bore bearing forgives nothing in a poorly machined housing.
- The standard 30 deg bearing and its B (40 deg) sibling share the envelope; picking between them is a load-direction decision, not a quality upgrade.
- If the application vibrates at standstill (transport, idle machine next to a running line), specify protection: the contact ellipse of a preloaded bearing false-brinells faster than a loose one.
- A 7038 mounted the wrong way round still turns smoothly by hand; the failure shows up weeks later as raceway flaking on the unloaded-looking side.
- A 7038 mounted the wrong way round still turns smoothly by hand; the failure shows up weeks later as raceway flaking on the unloaded-looking side.
- The 248/280 kN ratings and 12.6 kN Pu here are NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203E figures for 7038; internal geometry legitimately differs between manufacturers, so re-verify ratings, contact angle and suffix before substituting another make on a rated drive.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions and catalogue ratings of NTN 7038?
7038 is a single-row angular contact ball bearing to ISO 15: 190 mm bore, 290 mm outside diameter, 46 mm width (7.48 x 11.417 x 1.811 in). From NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203E: C 248 kN, C0 280 kN and a 12.6 kN fatigue load limit Pu; the grease limiting speed is 2,200 r/min and the oil rating 2,900 r/min; mass about 10800 g.
How is the 7038 designation structured?
70 is the single-row dimension series (standard-section 7000 single-row family); 38 encodes the 190 mm bore (bore code x 5); with no letter after the digits it is the standard 30 deg contact-angle execution — the 40 deg version carries a B. The 290 mm OD and 46 mm width follow the ISO 15 boundary-dimension plan for that series.
Which axial direction does 7038 support?
One 7038 alone takes thrust in one direction only, along its 30 deg contact angle; reversing thrust calls for a second bearing or a factory-matched DB/DF/DT pair (the catalogue right-hand columns list the paired ratings). Radial load is always carried as a combined load through the angled contact.
What lubrication speeds does NTN print for 7038?
Per NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203E, the grease limiting speed is 2,200 r/min and the oil rating 2,900 r/min. These are catalogue ceilings for a correctly mounted bearing with the stated lubricant; preload, fill quantity, ambient heat and paired arrangements all move the real limit.
What should be checked before substituting another make for 7038?
The 190/290/46 mm envelope is ISO 15 interchangeable, but internal geometry — contact angle, osculation, cage and shoulder details — is maker-specific. Re-verify C 248 kN / C0 280 kN, the speed figures, contact angle and suffix meaning against the donor catalogue before swapping on a rated drive.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203E on 2026-10-01. Read our editorial & correction policy.