7234-BCBM bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)) · extracted 2026-09-27

Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)); SKF® and SKF Explorer® are trademarks of AB SKF, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized SKF distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at skf.com.

Cross references & equivalents

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 7234-BCBM model number is decoded

7234 BCBM is SKF's 170 mm-bore single-row angular-contact ball bearing in the 7200 series, nominal 40° (B) contact angle, 170×310×52 mm to the ISO dimension plan. 40° contact angle (suffix B): the steep standard single-row angle, giving the highest axial capacity at the cost of speed, with a recommended load ratio Fa/Fr ≥ 1. machined brass cage, ball-centred (suffix M), the choice for high speed, marginal lubrication and shock duty. CB means universally matchable with Normal axial internal clearance: the two side faces are ground so any two units form DB (back-to-back), DF (face-to-face) or DT (tandem) sets without regrinding. Envelope 170×310×52 mm (6.693×12.205×2.047 in), 70.0 mm radial section height, C 281 kN, C0 345 kN, Pu 9.5 kN.reference speed 2,400 r/min (thermal) and limiting speed 2,800 r/min (mechanical), catalogue mass 17500 g. Envelope economics: the 52 mm width over a 70.0 mm section yields 0.74 mm of ring width per section millimetre, and the bearing weighs 17500 g for 281 kN of dynamic capacity — about 62 g per rated kN. Speed planning distinguishes the two published ceilings mechanically: the cage and balls tolerate 2,800 r/min while thermal balance under catalogue load sets the 2,400 r/min reference; at dm ≈ 240.0 mm the corresponding dn is approximately 672k mm·r/min. Bore-to-OD planning: OD 310 over bore 170 is a 1.82× step for this size, and the 52 mm width gives a bore/width ratio of 3.27; use these ratios when housing space around the 170 mm shaft is the first constraint. Non-optimized universal execution: BCBM keeps the earlier internal geometry (no E) with CB Normal-clearance set mounting and a machined brass ball-centred cage; it is stocked for positions built around its established ratings rather than the enhanced E ball complement.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Preload the set against a calculated stand-off dimension — the ground faces of BCBM establish it, but locknut torque, sleeve crush and housing-face squareness each consume part of the allowance.
• Keep the load ratio in the SKF design range: Fa/Fr ≥ 1 for this angle; below it the balls unload the contact ellipse and skid, which is why the catalogue insists on a minimum axial load (Fam ≈ A·(n·dm/1000)²) at high speed.
• Assign interference to the rotating ring — roughly m6 on a 170 mm rotating shaft with an H7 housing — and let the stationary ring slide for axial setting; reverse the logic if the outer ring rotates.
• Preload the set against a calculated stand-off dimension — the ground faces of BCBM establish it, but locknut torque, sleeve crush and housing-face squareness each consume part of the allowance.
• The steep 40° angle of 7234-BCBM favours thrust-heavy combined loads; for a predominantly radial high-speed position the 25° ACCBM execution of the same size is the alternative order number.
• Universally matchable BCBM bearings arrive ready for set mounting, not preloaded sets: preload results from how the set is clamped, so follow the SKF stand-off-ring and nut-torque procedure.