6003-2RS bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)) · extracted 2026-09-24

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 6003-2RS model number is decoded

In the 6000-series (diameter series 0 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 6003 carries bore code 03 = 17 mm. Codes 00–03 follow the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table rather than code × 5. Outside diameter 35 mm and width 10 mm come from the ISO 15 boundary-dimensions general plan. Suffix -2RS denotes two contact-type elastomer seals over a lifetime grease fill; the sealing lips add drag compared with open or shielded versions. For normal-load mounting with a rotating inner ring on a 17 mm shaft, typical catalogue practice is a j5 shaft seat with an H7 housing bore — verify against the actual load direction and magnitude. SKF's contact-seal catalogue number is 6003-2RSH (older text: -2RS1), mapped here from the industry-neutral -2RS spelling.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Bore codes 00–03 use the exception table: 6003 fits a 17 mm shaft — the code × 5 mnemonic does not apply below code 04 (it would imply 0 mm for code 00).
• Choosing the 60xx extra-light section saves radial space at 17 mm bore, but the trade-off is rating: if the drive sees shock or frequent start-stop cycles, re-check the L10 life against a 6203 before committing to the smaller envelope.
• Contact seals add drag and heat: 6003-2RS runs slower and cooler-limited than the open 6003; rubber lips are generally limited to roughly 80–110 °C continuous depending on grease, and C3 clearance is the common hot-duty choice.
• Heat is the enemy of the sealed 6003-2RS: sustained running near the lip temperature limit hardens the rubber, after which grease escapes and dirt tracks in — watch the housing temperature in hot drives.
• Do not quieten a noisy bearing by preloading it: the 6000-series is a deep-groove design, not angular-contact; axial preload raises temperature and shortens grease life.
• Shaft and housing fillets must clear the bearing chamfer so the 10 mm-wide ring seats square; provide an undercut or withdrawal groove instead of relying on an oversized radius.
• SKF catalogues the contact-sealed version as 6003-2RSH (older printings may read -2RS1); it is shipped pre-greased and its 13000 r/min limiting speed is set by seal-lip drag and grease life versus the open bearing's 45000 r/min thermal reference speed. The single-seal catalogue number is 6003-RSH, used where one shaft side needs external relubrication.
• A one-seal execution 6003-RSH exists for arrangements that lubricate through the open side; fitting 6003-2RSH instead means lifetime grease and no external oil supply — mixing the two in the same shaft can starve the sealed position.
• The 6.37/3.25 kN ratings here are SKF Explorer-class figures from catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018); SKF can revise internal geometry and ratings without changing the designation, so treat the catalogue version and date as part of the specification and re-verify for critical drives.