6216-2RS 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 6216-2RS model number is decoded

In the 6200-series (diameter series 2 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 6216 carries bore code 16 = 80 mm. Outside diameter 140 mm and width 26 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 80 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 6216-2RS1 (older text: -2RS1), mapped here from the industry-neutral -2RS spelling.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Large bores like the 80 mm of 6216-2RS demand clean, burr-free seats; one raised burr under a ring this size cocks the bearing and concentrates load at the raceway edge, cutting life drastically.
• At 80 mm bore the 62xx light series is the workhorse section; its 140×26 mm envelope is what most motor and gearbox seats are machined for, so any alternative section must be checked against both this OD and this width, not the bore alone.
• Contact seals add drag and heat: 6216-2RS runs slower and cooler-limited than the open 6216; 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 6216-2RS in solvent or press it home via the outer ring; solvent destroys the grease thickener and mounting force through the seal deforms the lip.
• Suffixes stack in a defined order — clearance follows the seal code, e.g. 6216-C3. No clearance suffix means normal CN clearance.
• Never mix components between two 6216-2RS units: rings, cage and balls are factory-matched and are not field-interchangeable, even between identical designations.
• SKF catalogues the contact-sealed version as 6216-2RS1 (older printings may read -2RS1); it is shipped pre-greased and its 3000 r/min limiting speed is set by seal-lip drag and grease life versus the open bearing's 9500 r/min thermal reference speed. The single-seal catalogue number is 6216-RS1, used where one shaft side needs external relubrication.
• A one-seal execution 6216-RS1 exists for arrangements that lubricate through the open side; fitting 6216-2RS1 instead means lifetime grease and no external oil supply — mixing the two in the same shaft can starve the sealed position.
• The 72.8/55 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.