W618-5 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

The W618-5 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 5 x 11 x 3 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.

Bearing dimension schematic Front view shows outer diameter D and bore d; side section shows width B. D = 11 mm d = 5 B = 3 mm side section front view
Principal dimensions: bore d 5 mm, outer diameter D 11 mm, width B 3 mm. Schematic, not to scale.

Specification table

ParameterValue
Brand SKF
Bore diameter d 5 mm
Outer diameter D 11 mm
Width B 3 mm
Material SS440C
Seal / shield open
Internal clearance CN
Tolerance class P0
Cage steel, stamped ribbon (J-type)
Basic dynamic load rating C 0.403 kN
Basic static load rating C0 0.143 kN
Fatigue load limit Pu 0.006 kN
Reference speed (thermal) 120000 rpm
Limiting speed (mechanical) 75000 rpm
Operating temperature -40 to +120 °C
Mass 1.2 g
Manufacturer designation W 618/5
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 & 61800-series range

Bore d 0.197 in
Outer diameter D 0.433 in
Width B 0.118 in
ISO bore code —
Radial section height (D−d)/2 3 mm
Smallest bore in 61800-series 1 mm
Largest outer diameter in 61800-series 1820 mm
Width range across 61800-series 1–140 mm
Bore position in 61800-series (smallest first) 6 of 74
Bore above smallest 61800-series size 4 mm

Cross references & equivalents

No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.

How the W618-5 model number is decoded

The W prefix denotes SKF stainless steel deep-groove bearings (X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class rings). In the 61800-series, the bore is written directly after the slash as 5 mm (bores below 10 mm use the slash spelling). Envelope 5×11×3 mm (0.197×0.433×0.118 in), C 0.403 kN, C0 0.143 kN, Pu 0.006 kN; limiting speed 75000 r/min and mass 1.2 g. The open W 618/5 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

  • medical and laboratory devices
  • small pumps handling corrosive media
  • bicycle and outdoor equipment
  • appliances exposed to moisture

Known failure patterns

  • seal and grease failure before the rings corrode in sustained washdown service
  • surface staining and pitting when even the stainless steel is left unlubricated in salty or acidic duty
  • 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

  • Temperatures above roughly 300 °C temper the stainless races; even standard greases fail far earlier — keep W618-5 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 — W618-5 is not marine-grade stainless.
  • The stainless steel is martensitic and MAGNETIC; do not reject W618-5 over magnetism — only austenitic grades are non-magnetic, and those are too soft for bearing raceways.
  • Stainless bearings carry lower load ratings than chrome steel of the same envelope: W618-5 is quoted at C 0.403 kN versus the 3 mm-wide 52100 version — do not swap on dimensions alone.
  • Assign interference to the rotating ring: on a conventional shaft-mounted 5 mm position the inner ring rotates, so use a k5/m6 shaft seat with an H7 housing — reverse the logic if the outer ring rotates.
  • Clearance suffixes follow the seal code in the designation stack (e.g. W 618/5-2Z/C3 in SKF spelling); no suffix means normal CN internal clearance.

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions of the stainless W618-5?

SKF W 618/5 measures 5×11×3 mm (0.197×0.433×0.118 in), about 1.2 g, C 0.403 kN.

What does the W in W 618/5 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.

Can I replace a chrome-steel bearing with stainless W618-5?

The envelope matches, but stainless rates lower (C 0.403 kN for W 618/5); for corrosive environments that trade-off is intended, for high loads it shortens life.

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.

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.