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 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 2026-09-24 |
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 | 10 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 6200-series | 400 mm |
| Width range across 6200-series | 9–65 mm |
| Bore position in 6200-series (smallest first) | 28 of 33 |
| Bore above smallest 6200-series size | 150 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; brand-specific OEM equivalents (NSK/FAG/NTN) pending multi-source data. |
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 (ISO 15 diameter series 2) 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.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- heavy conveyors
- pulp and paper machinery
- medium and heavy industrial drives
- large gearboxes
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear from dust and dirt ingress through the open arrangement
- lubricant starvation when no regreasing interval is maintained
- brinelling from static overload or hammering during mounting
- false brinelling from vibration while the shaft is stationary
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Mount this 160 mm bore bearing by heating the inner ring (induction heater, max 120 °C) — never drive it home through the outer ring or balls, that brinells the raceways.
- 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.
- The open 6232 has no lubricant retention: grease escapes and contaminants migrate straight into the 160×290×48 mm raceway, so specify a sealed arrangement for dusty or washdown duty.
- 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.
- Do not quieten a noisy bearing by preloading it: the 6200-series is a deep-groove design, not angular-contact; axial preload raises temperature and shortens grease life.
- 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.
How does the 6232 bore code work?
The last two digits of 6232 are bore code 32, giving 32 × 5 = 160 mm bore. The 290 mm outside diameter and 48 mm width follow the ISO 15 diameter series, not the bore code alone.
What does no suffix on 6232 mean?
A bare 6232 designation means open: no shields or seals, normal CN radial clearance and P0 normal tolerance unless further suffixes are ordered. The application must supply and retain the lubrication.
How does the 6200 compare with other series at the same 160 mm bore?
The '2' is the light diameter series: 290×48 mm with a 65.0 mm radial section at 160 mm bore. A 6332 on the same bore is larger and higher-rated; a 6032 is smaller and lower-rated.
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 2026-09-24. Read our editorial & correction policy.