6232-M bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6232-M is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 160 x 290 x 48 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 160 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 290 mm |
| Width B | 48 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | brass |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 186 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 186 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 5.3 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 4500 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 4300 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 14000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | 6232 M |
| 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 & 6200-series range
| Bore d | 6.299 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 11.417 in |
| Width B | 1.89 in |
| ISO bore code | 32 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 65 mm |
| Smallest bore in 6200-series | 3 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 6200-series | 540 mm |
| Width range across 6200-series | 2.5–85 mm |
| Bore position in 6200-series (smallest first) | 36 of 45 |
| Bore above smallest 6200-series size | 157 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6232-ZZ | NSK | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | NSK counterpart NSK 6232ZZ on the same 160×290×48 mm envelope with ratings within 10 % — interchange after checking seal, cage and precision details on both pages. |
| 6232 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | SKF SKF 6232 (open arrangement) shares the 160×290×48 mm envelope with ratings within 10 % — execution variant of the same size; 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 6232-M model number is decoded
In the 6200-series, the last two digits encode the bore: 6232 carries code 32 = 160 mm (code × 5). The envelope is 160×290×48 mm (6.299×11.417×1.89 in) with a 65.0 mm radial section height, C 186 kN, C0 186 kN and Pu 5.3 kN. The open 6232 M carries no shields or seals and relies on application lubrication and external sealing. The M suffix identifies the machined brass cage execution, a separate order number from the pressed-steel version. Limiting speed 4300 r/min, catalogue mass 14000 g.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- heavy conveyor drives
- hoists and winches
- industrial fans and blowers
- mill and kiln auxiliaries
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear when the open arrangement is used without external seals
- lubricant starvation where no regreasing interval is maintained
- cage damage from running beyond the limiting speed
- raceway smearing under marginal lubrication at start-up
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- The fatigue load limit is 5.3 kN; it feeds the equivalent-mean-load check, not the basic life calculation — do not substitute one for the other.
- Assign interference to the rotating ring: on a conventional shaft-mounted 160 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.
- The M suffix on 6232-M denotes a machined brass cage: it is the choice for high speeds, marginal lubrication and shock/vibration duty, and it is temperature-tolerant where polymer cages are not — the 14000 g quoted mass includes the heavier cage.
- Open 6232-M needs external sealing at the arrangement level; in dusty housings its life depends entirely on those external seals and the regreasing schedule.
- Plan a relubrication interval for 6232-M; run-to-failure on open deep-groove bearings is the dominant early-failure cause.
- Catalogue ratings for 6232-M (C 186 kN, C0 186 kN) are SKF figures from PUB BU/P1 17000; geometry revisions can change ratings without changing the designation, so keep the catalogue edition with the specification.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of 6232-M?
The SKF 6232 M measures 160 mm bore × 290 mm OD × 48 mm width (6.299 × 11.417 × 1.89 in), mass about 14000 g. It is open, with no shields or seals.
How does the bore code in 6232 work?
The final two digits of 6232 are bore code 32, multiplied by 5 to give 160 mm.
Which fits should I use for 6232-M?
With a rotating inner ring use roughly m6 on the shaft and H7 in the 290 mm housing; reverse the interference if the outer ring rotates.
How heavy is 6232-M?
Catalogue mass is 14000 g for 6232 M; seal and cage executions of the same envelope differ by a few grams.
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.