6232 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6232 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 / C3 available |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| 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) | 3000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +150 °C |
| Mass | 13000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6232 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) |
| Last verified | 2026-09-25 |
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.
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 | ISO 15 | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; standard interchange — confirm clearance class and precision with the supplier. |
| 6232-NSK | NSK | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Identical ISO 15 envelope, seal and ratings band — standard interchange; re-verify precision class and clearance per supplier. |
| 6232-ZZ | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 160×290×48 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (OPEN vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6232-NTN | NTN | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Identical ISO 15 envelope, seal and ratings band — standard interchange; re-verify precision class and clearance per supplier. |
| 6232-M | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | SKF 6232 M (machined brass cage, open arrangement) is the same-size execution on the 160×290×48 mm envelope with ratings within 10 % — 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 model number is decoded
In the 6200-series (diameter series 2 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 6232 carries bore code 32 = 160 mm. Outside diameter 290 mm and width 48 mm come from the ISO 15 boundary-dimensions general plan. With no seal suffix the bearing is open: no shields or seals are fitted and lubrication is supplied by the application. For normal-load mounting with a rotating inner ring on a 160 mm shaft, typical catalogue practice is a m6 shaft seat with an H7 housing bore — verify against the actual load direction and magnitude. In the SKF catalogue this open execution carries the bare designation; protected variants are ordered separately as -2Z and -2RSH.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- medium and heavy industrial drives
- large gearboxes
- industrial fans and blowers
- hoists and winches
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear from dust and dirt ingress through the open arrangement
- lubricant starvation when no regreasing interval is maintained
- cage damage from operation beyond the limiting speed
- electrical pitting in VFD-driven motors without grounding protection
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Large bores like the 160 mm of 6232 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.
- The 62xx light series is the default general-purpose section at 160 mm bore; before upgrading to a 6332 for extra capacity, confirm the housing accepts a 290 mm OD and 48 mm width — it is not a drop-in swap.
- Storage matters for open bearings: 6232 leaves the factory with rust preventive only, so clean it and apply the service grease at assembly even if the rings look oily from the wrapper.
- Open bearings tolerate the highest speeds in the 6200-series but need a defined regreasing interval; run-to-failure lubrication is the dominant cause of early failure in open 6232 units.
- Measure the shaft, do not trust the drawing: a 160 mm nominal journal worn by even 0.02 mm turns an interference seat into a creeping fit that frets the bore of 6232.
- Assign fits by which ring rotates: an interference shaft fit for a rotating inner ring; if the outer ring rotates instead, reverse the logic — a loose rotating ring creeps and frets its seat.
- The open 6232 needs external sealing and application-supplied lubrication; in the SKF catalogue the protected variants are separate order numbers 6232-2Z (shields) and 6232-2RSH (contact seals), not suffix-free 6232.
- The 186/186 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.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 6232 bearing?
A 6232 deep-groove ball bearing has a 160 mm bore, 290 mm outer diameter and 48 mm width (6.299 × 11.417 × 1.89 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is an open bearing with no seals or shields.
Are 6232 bearings from different brands interchangeable?
For boundary dimensions, yes: every brand's 6232 uses the same ISO 15 envelope (160×290×48 mm). Load ratings, limiting speeds, clearance, precision class and sealing design can differ, so verify those in the supplier catalogue when substituting.
What internal clearance does 6232 have?
Unless a clearance suffix says otherwise, 6232 is manufactured to normal (CN) radial internal clearance. Tight fits and hot shafts consume clearance in service — for those conditions order the C3 execution of 6232 and verify the residual clearance after mounting.
How should 6232 be mounted?
Apply the mounting force to the ring being fitted: on a 160 mm shaft seat the press load must pass through the inner-ring face only. Induction heating of the inner ring (max 120 °C) is the clean method at this size. Never strike the outer ring, the cage or the seals.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6232?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6232 — the open (unsealed) execution, 160×290×48 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 186 kN, C0 186 kN, Pu 5.3 kN, limiting speed 3000 r/min, mass 13000 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6232.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-25. Read our editorial & correction policy.