218 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 218 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 90 x 160 x 30 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 90 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 160 mm |
| Width B | 30 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 112 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 114 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 4.3 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 7000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 4300 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 2350 g |
| Manufacturer designation | 218 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
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.
Dimensions in inches & 200-series range
| Bore d | 3.543 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 6.299 in |
| Width B | 1.181 in |
| ISO bore code | 18 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 35 mm |
| Smallest bore in 200-series | 30 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 200-series | 180 mm |
| Width range across 200-series | 16–34 mm |
| Bore position in 200-series (smallest first) | 13 of 15 |
| Bore above smallest 200-series size | 60 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6218-RSR | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | NSK bearing NSK 6218VV on the same 90×160×30 mm envelope, but catalogue C/C0 differ (112/114 kN vs 106/71.5 kN) — envelope interchange only after a load check. |
| 6218-M | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 90×160×30 mm envelope as SKF 6218 M, but catalogue C/C0 differ (112/114 kN vs 101/73.5 kN) — envelope match only after a load check. |
| 218-ZZ | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 90×160×30 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; 218-2Z is the two non-contact shields execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
| 6218 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6218 shares the 90×160×30 mm envelope but catalogue C/C0 differ (112/114 kN vs 101/73.5 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6218-ZZ | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6218-2Z shares the 90×160×30 mm envelope but catalogue C/C0 differ (112/114 kN vs 101/73.5 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6218-2RS | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6218-2RS1 shares the 90×160×30 mm envelope but catalogue C/C0 differ (112/114 kN vs 101/73.5 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent. |
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 218 model number is decoded
218 is a filling-slot (notched-ring) deep-groove bearing in the legacy 200-series: the last two digits encode the bore: 218 carries code 18 = 90 mm (code × 5). The rings carry loading slots that allow extra balls during assembly, which is what gives the 90×160×30 mm envelope its C 112 kN and C0 114 kN ratings (Pu 4.3 kN). The open 218 carries no shields or seals and relies on application lubrication and external sealing. Limiting speed 4300 r/min, mass 2350 g. These bearings are built for high purely-radial loads at moderate speeds.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- legacy machinery repairs
- slew drives
- material-handling winches
- slow heavy gearboxes
Known failure patterns
- spalling of the filling-slot edge when balls are hammered through the slot under heavy thrust loading
- dirt entering through the open slot area when external sealing is neglected
- electrical pitting in VFD-driven motors without shaft grounding
- edge loading from shaft deflection or housing misalignment
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Shields on 218 retain grease but do not seal against water; for wet farm duty add external lip seals rather than trusting the shield.
- Limiting speed is just 4300 r/min: filling-slot cages and the slot geometry run cooler below that — overspeed drives cage wear and smearing.
- Filling slots let more balls be packed into the 90×160 mm envelope, which is why 218 reaches C 112 kN — but the slots also mean the two rings separate when the balls align with them, so handle it as a loose-clearance design.
- The slots sit at one angular position: on 218, never pass the full radial load across the slot zone during mounting or the ring lip can crack.
- Filling slots let more balls be packed into the 90×160 mm envelope, which is why 218 reaches C 112 kN — but the slots also mean the two rings separate when the balls align with them, so handle it as a loose-clearance design.
- Catalogue ratings for 218 (C 112 kN, C0 114 kN) are SKF figures from PUB BU/P1 17000; geometry revisions can change ratings without changing the designation, so keep the catalogue edition with the specification.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of 218?
Filling-slot bearing 218 measures 90×160×30 mm (3.543×6.299×1.181 in), about 2350 g.
What does the designation 218 mean?
It is the legacy 200/300 filling-slot numbering: series 200 and bore code 18 = 90 mm. Filling-slot bearings predate the 6xxx deep-groove spelling.
What fails on 218?
Slot-edge chipping under thrust or shock, dirt ingress in the open design and cage wear past the 4300 r/min limiting speed are the typical failure modes.
Is 218 available sealed?
Shielded executions (-2Z, listed here as 218-ZZ) exist; contact-sealed versions are generally not produced for the filling-slot family.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.