6004-2RS bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6004-2RS is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 20 x 42 x 12 mm (bore x OD x width) with 2RS sealing. Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 20 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 42 mm |
| Width B | 12 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | 2RS |
| Internal clearance | CN / C3 available |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 9.95 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 5 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.212 kN |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 11000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -30 to +110 °C |
| Mass | 67 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6004-2RSH |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) |
| Last verified | 2026-09-25 |
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.
Dimensions in inches & 6000-series range
| Bore d | 0.787 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.654 in |
| Width B | 0.472 in |
| ISO bore code | 04 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 11 mm |
| Smallest bore in 6000-series | 4 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 6000-series | 1150 mm |
| Width range across 6000-series | 4–155 mm |
| Bore position in 6000-series (smallest first) | 11 of 61 |
| Bore above smallest 6000-series size | 16 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6004-2RS-FAG | FAG | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Identical ISO 15 envelope, seal and ratings band — standard interchange; re-verify precision class and clearance per supplier. |
| 6004-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6004-ZZ-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6004 | ISO 15 | verify Commonly quoted cross reference; confirm against the target catalog before ordering. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; seal suffix convention varies by brand (2RS / DDU / LLU / 2RSR) — verify seal design and temperature range before substituting. |
| 6004-2RS-NSK | NSK | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Identical ISO 15 envelope, seal and ratings band — standard interchange; re-verify precision class and clearance per supplier. |
| 6004-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6004-RSR-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs RSR) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6004-ZZ-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6004-2RS-NTN | NTN | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Identical ISO 15 envelope, seal and ratings band — standard interchange; re-verify precision class and clearance per supplier. |
| 6004-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6004-RSR-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs RSR) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6004-ZZ-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| W6004-2RS | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6004-2RS1 shares the 20×42×12 mm envelope but rates differently (9.95/5 kN vs 8.06/5 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6004-ZZ | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6004-2Z shares the 20×42×12 mm envelope but rates differently (9.95/5 kN vs 8.06/5 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6004 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6004 shares the 20×42×12 mm envelope but rates differently (9.95/5 kN vs 8.06/5 kN) — 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 6004-2RS model number is decoded
In the 6000-series (diameter series 0 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 6004 carries bore code 04 = 20 mm. Outside diameter 42 mm and width 12 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 20 mm shaft, typical catalogue practice is a k5 shaft seat with an H7 housing bore — verify against the actual load direction and magnitude. SKF's contact-seal catalogue number is 6004-2RSH (older text: -2RS1), mapped here from the industry-neutral -2RS spelling.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- electric motors
- centrifugal pumps
- small gearboxes
- conveyors and drives
Known failure patterns
- seal-lip hardening and loss of pre-grease in sustained high-temperature service
- grease-life expiry in the sealed-for-life cavity (no relubrication path)
- fretting corrosion on a loose shaft seat
- cage damage from operation beyond the limiting speed
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- A 20 mm shaft for 6004 should be finished to Ra ≤ 1.6 µm with square seating faces; at this bore a scored or oval journal shows up directly as running noise and early raceway damage.
- The 60xx extra-light section at 20 mm bore uses a smaller 42 mm OD than a 6204; load ratings are lower, so do not replace a failed 62-series bearing with a 60-series without re-rating the load.
- Heat is the enemy of the sealed 6004-2RS: 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.
- Never wash a sealed 6004-2RS in solvent or press it home via the outer ring; solvent destroys the grease thickener and mounting force through the seal deforms the lip.
- Assign fits by which ring rotates: an interference shaft fit for a rotating inner ring; if the outer ring rotates instead, reverse the logic — a loose rotating ring creeps and frets its seat.
- Never mix components between two 6004-2RS units: rings, cage and balls are factory-matched and are not field-interchangeable, even between identical designations.
- SKF catalogues the contact-sealed version as 6004-2RSH (older printings may read -2RS1); it is shipped pre-greased and its 11000 r/min limiting speed is set by seal-lip drag and grease life versus the open bearing's 38000 r/min thermal reference speed. The single-seal catalogue number is 6004-RSH, used where one shaft side needs external relubrication.
- A one-seal execution 6004-RSH exists for arrangements that lubricate through the open side; fitting 6004-2RSH instead means lifetime grease and no external oil supply — mixing the two in the same shaft can starve the sealed position.
- The 9.95/5 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.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 6004-2RS bearing?
A 6004-2RS deep-groove ball bearing has a 20 mm bore, 42 mm outer diameter and 12 mm width (0.787 × 1.654 × 0.472 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is fitted with two contact rubber seals and is normally pre-greased.
What lubrication does 6004-2RS need?
6004-2RS is supplied pre-greased for life and is not designed to be opened for relubrication; where a relubrication path is required, specify the open 6004 with a housing grease fitting instead.
How does the 6004 bore code work?
The last two digits of 6004 are bore code 04, giving 04 × 5 = 20 mm bore. The 42 mm outside diameter and 12 mm width follow the ISO 15 diameter series, not the bore code alone.
What does the 2RS suffix on 6004-2RS mean?
2RS means two contact elastomer seals, one each side, usually over a lifetime grease fill. Sealing against dust and moisture is better than ZZ shields, but the lip drag lowers the speed and temperature ceiling.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6004-2RS?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6004-2RSH — two contact elastomer seals over a lifetime grease fill, 20×42×12 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 9.95 kN, C0 5 kN, Pu 0.212 kN, limiting speed 11000 r/min, mass 67 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6004-2RS.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-25. Read our editorial & correction policy.