W6004 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The W6004 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 20 x 42 x 12 mm (bore x OD x width). 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 | SS440C |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 8.06 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 5 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.212 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 38000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 24000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 60 g |
| Manufacturer designation | W 6004 |
| 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 & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| W6004-2RS | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; W 6004-2RS1 is the two contact elastomer seals execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
| W6004-ZZ | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 20×42×12 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; W 6004-2Z is the two non-contact shields execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
| 6004 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6004 shares the 20×42×12 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (8.06/5 kN vs 9.95/5 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6004-ZZ | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6004-2Z shares the 20×42×12 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (8.06/5 kN vs 9.95/5 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6004-2RS | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6004-2RSH shares the 20×42×12 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (8.06/5 kN vs 9.95/5 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6004-RSR | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6004-2RSL shares the 20×42×12 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (8.06/5 kN vs 9.95/5 kN) — the stainless execution is 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 W6004 model number is decoded
The W prefix denotes SKF stainless steel deep-groove bearings (X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class rings). In the 6000-series, the last two digits encode the bore: 6004 carries code 04 = 20 mm (code × 5). Envelope 20×42×12 mm (0.787×1.654×0.472 in), C 8.06 kN, C0 5 kN, Pu 0.212 kN; limiting speed 24000 r/min and mass 60 g. The open W 6004 carries no shields or seals and relies on application lubrication and external sealing. Stainless is chosen for corrosion and washdown duty, not for extra load — the same-envelope chrome-steel bearing rates higher.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- pharmaceutical and packaging machines
- washdown-duty equipment
- chemical and marine atmospheres
- medical and laboratory devices
Known failure patterns
- surface staining and pitting when even the stainless steel is left unlubricated in salty or acidic duty
- seal and grease failure before the rings corrode in sustained washdown service
- contamination wear when the open arrangement is used without external seals
- lubricant starvation where no regreasing interval is maintained
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Corrosion resistance depends on clean, undamaged surfaces: never weld near W6004 or scratch the raceways during mounting, since the damaged spot starts corrosion.
- Temperatures above roughly 300 °C temper the stainless races; even standard greases fail far earlier — keep W6004 inside the quoted grease temperature range.
- W-prefix stainless rings (X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class) resist moisture and weak chemicals but will still rust in chloride-rich or salt-spray duty without protection — W6004 is not marine-grade stainless.
- The stainless steel is martensitic and MAGNETIC; do not reject W6004 over magnetism — only austenitic grades are non-magnetic, and those are too soft for bearing raceways.
- Deep-groove geometry tolerates only minutes of misalignment; if the 42 mm housing bore cannot be aligned, move to a self-aligning bearing rather than shimming W6004.
- Clearance suffixes follow the seal code in the designation stack (e.g. W 6004-2Z/C3 in SKF spelling); no suffix means normal CN internal clearance.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of the stainless W6004?
SKF W 6004 measures 20×42×12 mm (0.787×1.654×0.472 in), about 60 g, C 8.06 kN.
What does the W in W 6004 mean?
W is the SKF prefix for stainless steel deep-groove bearings (rings in X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class); the rest of the designation follows the normal series and bore rules.
Is the stainless bearing magnetic?
Yes. Bearing stainless steels are martensitic (hardened) and magnetic; non-magnetic austenitic grades cannot be hardened enough for raceways and balls.
Where is W6004 typically used?
Food and packaging machines, pharmaceutical equipment, washdown conveyors, chemical and marine-atmosphere drives and appliances exposed to moisture.
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.