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.

Bearing dimension schematic Front view shows outer diameter D and bore d; side section shows width B. D = 290 mm d = 190 B = 46 mm side section front view
Principal dimensions: bore d 190 mm, outer diameter D 290 mm, width B 46 mm. Schematic, not to scale.

Specification table

ParameterValue
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 d7.48 in
Outer diameter D11.417 in
Width B1.811 in
ISO bore code38
Radial section height (D−d)/250 mm
Smallest bore in 7000-series10 mm
Largest outer diameter in 7000-series420 mm
Width range across 7000-series8–65 mm
Bore position in 7000-series (smallest first)31 of 36
Bore above smallest 7000-series size180 mm

Cross references & equivalents

Equivalent modelBrandMatch levelNote
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.