6038 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6038 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.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 190 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 290 mm |
| Width B | 46 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN / C3 available |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 195 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 216 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 5.85 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 4800 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 3000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +150 °C |
| Mass | 9550 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6038 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) |
| Last verified | 2026-09-24 |
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 | 7.48 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 11.417 in |
| Width B | 1.811 in |
| ISO bore code | 38 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 50 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) | 37 of 61 |
| Bore above smallest 6000-series size | 186 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6038 | ISO 15 | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; standard interchange — confirm clearance class and precision with the supplier. |
| 6038-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. |
| 6038-ZZ | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 190×290×46 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (OPEN vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6038-NTN | NTN | 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. |
| 6038-M | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | SKF 6038 M (machined brass cage, open arrangement) is the same-size execution on the 190×290×46 mm envelope with ratings within 10 % — boundary dimensions interchangeable. |
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 6038 model number is decoded
In the 6000-series (diameter series 0 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 6038 carries bore code 38 = 190 mm. Outside diameter 290 mm and width 46 mm come from the ISO 15 boundary-dimensions general plan. With no seal suffix the bearing is open: no shields or seals are fitted and lubrication is supplied by the application. For normal-load mounting with a rotating inner ring on a 190 mm shaft, typical catalogue practice is a m6 shaft seat with an H7 housing bore — verify against the actual load direction and magnitude. In the SKF catalogue this open execution carries the bare designation; protected variants are ordered separately as -2Z and -2RSH.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- heavy conveyors
- pulp and paper machinery
- medium and heavy industrial drives
- large gearboxes
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear from dust and dirt ingress through the open arrangement
- lubricant starvation when no regreasing interval is maintained
- brinelling from static overload or hammering during mounting
- false brinelling from vibration while the shaft is stationary
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At 190 mm bore the ring mass is significant: heat 6038 on an induction heater (max 120 °C), never over an open flame, and plan puller access or a withdrawal sleeve now for the day it has to come off again.
- The 60xx extra-light section at 190 mm bore uses a smaller 290 mm OD than a 6238; load ratings are lower, so do not replace a failed 62-series bearing with a 60-series without re-rating the load.
- Storage matters for open bearings: 6038 leaves the factory with rust preventive only, so clean it and apply the service grease at assembly even if the rings look oily from the wrapper.
- Open bearings tolerate the highest speeds in the 6000-series but need a defined regreasing interval; run-to-failure lubrication is the dominant cause of early failure in open 6038 units.
- Measure the shaft, do not trust the drawing: a 190 mm nominal journal worn by even 0.02 mm turns an interference seat into a creeping fit that frets the bore of 6038.
- Vibration during standstill brinells the raceways of a 190 mm bearing at ball spacing; if the machine sits idle next to running equipment, turn the shaft over periodically or isolate the arrangement.
- The open 6038 needs external sealing and application-supplied lubrication; in the SKF catalogue the protected variants are separate order numbers 6038-2Z (shields) and 6038-2RSH (contact seals), not suffix-free 6038.
- The 195/216 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 6038 bearing?
A 6038 deep-groove ball bearing has a 190 mm bore, 290 mm outer diameter and 46 mm width (7.48 × 11.417 × 1.811 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is an open bearing with no seals or shields.
What internal clearance does 6038 have?
Unless a clearance suffix says otherwise, 6038 is manufactured to normal (CN) radial internal clearance. Tight fits and hot shafts consume clearance in service — for those conditions order the C3 execution of 6038 and verify the residual clearance after mounting.
How should 6038 be mounted?
Apply the mounting force to the ring being fitted: on a 190 mm shaft seat the press load must pass through the inner-ring face only. Induction heating of the inner ring (max 120 °C) is the clean method at this size. Never strike the outer ring, the cage or the seals.
What lubrication does 6038 need?
The open 6038 is lubricated by the application; a NLGI 2 lithium-soap grease filled to roughly 25–35% of the free volume is the common choice, with a defined relubrication interval.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6038?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6038 — the open (unsealed) execution, 190×290×46 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 195 kN, C0 216 kN, Pu 5.85 kN, limiting speed 3000 r/min, mass 9550 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6038.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-24. Read our editorial & correction policy.