6203-2RS 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 6203-2RS model number is decoded

In the 6200-series (ISO 15 diameter series 2) the last two digits encode the bore: 6203 carries bore code 03 = 17 mm. Codes 00–03 follow the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table rather than code × 5. Outside diameter 40 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 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 6203-2RSH (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: 6203 fits a 17 mm shaft — the code × 5 mnemonic does not apply below code 04 (it would imply 0 mm for code 00).
• The 62xx light series is the default general-purpose section at 17 mm bore; before upgrading to a 6303 for extra capacity, confirm the housing accepts a 40 mm OD and 12 mm width — it is not a drop-in swap.
• Contact seals add drag and heat: 6203-2RS runs slower and cooler-limited than the open 6203; rubber lips are generally limited to roughly 80–110 °C continuous depending on grease, and C3 clearance is the common hot-duty choice.
• Never wash a sealed 6203-2RS in solvent or press it home via the outer ring; solvent destroys the grease thickener and mounting force through the seal deforms the lip.
• Deep-groove ball bearings tolerate only minutes of misalignment; if the 40 mm housing cannot be aligned, switch to a self-aligning type rather than shimming 6203-2RS.
• SKF catalogues the contact-sealed version as 6203-2RSH (older printings may read -2RS1); it is shipped pre-greased and its 12000 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 6203-RSH, used where one shaft side needs external relubrication.
• A one-seal execution 6203-RSH exists for arrangements that lubricate through the open side; fitting 6203-2RSH instead means lifetime grease and no external oil supply — mixing the two in the same shaft can starve the sealed position.
• The 9.95/4.75 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.