6234 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6234 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 170 x 310 x 52 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 170 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 310 mm |
| Width B | 52 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 | 212 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 224 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 6.1 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 4300 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 2800 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +150 °C |
| Mass | 16000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6234 |
| 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 | 6.693 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 12.205 in |
| Width B | 2.047 in |
| ISO bore code | 34 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 70 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) | 37 of 45 |
| Bore above smallest 6200-series size | 167 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6234 | 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. |
| 6234-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. |
| 6234-ZZ | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 170×310×52 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (OPEN vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6234-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. |
| 6234-M | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | SKF 6234 M (machined brass cage, open arrangement) is the same-size execution on the 170×310×52 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 6234 model number is decoded
In the 6200-series (diameter series 2 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 6234 carries bore code 34 = 170 mm. Outside diameter 310 mm and width 52 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 170 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
- large gearboxes
- industrial fans and blowers
- hoists and winches
- heavy conveyors
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear from dust and dirt ingress through the open arrangement
- lubricant starvation when no regreasing interval is maintained
- raceway smearing under marginal lubrication at start-up
- edge loading from shaft deflection or housing misalignment
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Large bores like the 170 mm of 6234 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 170 mm bore the 62xx light series is the workhorse section; its 310×52 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.
- The open 6234 has no lubricant retention: grease escapes and contaminants migrate straight into the 170×310×52 mm raceway, so specify a sealed arrangement for dusty or washdown duty.
- Storage matters for open bearings: 6234 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.
- 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 housing bore for the 310 mm OD should be round within IT7; an oval bore pinches the outer ring of 6234 and shows up later as two-point loaded raceway wear.
- The open 6234 needs external sealing and application-supplied lubrication; in the SKF catalogue the protected variants are separate order numbers 6234-2Z (shields) and 6234-2RSH (contact seals), not suffix-free 6234.
- The 212/224 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 6234 bearing?
A 6234 deep-groove ball bearing has a 170 mm bore, 310 mm outer diameter and 52 mm width (6.693 × 12.205 × 2.047 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is an open bearing with no seals or shields.
How does the 6200 compare with other series at the same 170 mm bore?
The '2' is the light diameter series: 310×52 mm with a 70.0 mm radial section at 170 mm bore. A 6334 on the same bore is larger and higher-rated; a 6034 is smaller and lower-rated.
Are 6234 bearings from different brands interchangeable?
For boundary dimensions, yes: every brand's 6234 uses the same ISO 15 envelope (170×310×52 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 6234 have?
Unless a clearance suffix says otherwise, 6234 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 6234 and verify the residual clearance after mounting.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6234?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6234 — the open (unsealed) execution, 170×310×52 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 212 kN, C0 224 kN, Pu 6.1 kN, limiting speed 2800 r/min, mass 16000 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6234.
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.