W6208-2RS bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

The W6208-2RS is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 40 x 80 x 18 mm (bore x OD x width) with 2RS sealing. Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.

Bearing dimension schematic Front view shows outer diameter D and bore d; side section shows width B. D = 80 mm d = 40 B = 18 mm side section front view
Principal dimensions: bore d 40 mm, outer diameter D 80 mm, width B 18 mm. Schematic, not to scale.

Specification table

ParameterValue
Brand SKF
Bore diameter d 40 mm
Outer diameter D 80 mm
Width B 18 mm
Material SS440C
Seal / shield 2RS
Internal clearance CN
Tolerance class P0
Cage steel, stamped ribbon (J-type)
Basic dynamic load rating C 25.1 kN
Basic static load rating C0 17.6 kN
Fatigue load limit Pu 0.75 kN
Limiting speed (mechanical) 5600 rpm
Operating temperature -40 to +120 °C
Mass 359 g
Manufacturer designation W 6208-2RS1
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 1.575 in
Outer diameter D 3.15 in
Width B 0.709 in
ISO bore code 08
Radial section height (D−d)/2 20 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) 17 of 45
Bore above smallest 6200-series size 37 mm

Cross references & equivalents

Equivalent modelBrandMatch levelNote
W6208-ZZ SKF full
Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange.
Same 40×80×18 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; W 6208-2Z is the two non-contact shields execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs.
W6208 SKF full
Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange.
Same 40×80×18 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; W 6208 is the open arrangement execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs.
208 SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
Same 40×80×18 mm envelope, but the stainless and chrome-steel executions carry different catalogue ratings (25.1/17.6 kN vs 33.6/27 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent; choose by corrosion versus load duty.
208-ZZ SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
Same 40×80×18 mm envelope, but the stainless and chrome-steel executions carry different catalogue ratings (25.1/17.6 kN vs 33.6/27 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent; choose by corrosion versus load duty.
6208 SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
SKF SKF 6208 shares the 40×80×18 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (25.1/17.6 kN vs 32.5/19 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent.
6208-ZZ SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
SKF SKF 6208-2Z shares the 40×80×18 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (25.1/17.6 kN vs 32.5/19 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent.
6208-2RS SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
SKF SKF 6208-2RSH shares the 40×80×18 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (25.1/17.6 kN vs 32.5/19 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent.
6208-RSR SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
SKF SKF 6208-2RZ shares the 40×80×18 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (25.1/17.6 kN vs 32.5/19 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent.

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 W6208-2RS model number is decoded

The W prefix denotes SKF stainless steel deep-groove bearings (X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class rings). In the 6200-series, the last two digits encode the bore: 6208 carries code 08 = 40 mm (code × 5). Envelope 40×80×18 mm (1.575×3.15×0.709 in), C 25.1 kN, C0 17.6 kN, Pu 0.75 kN; limiting speed 5600 r/min and mass 359 g. SKF catalogues the sealed execution as W 6208-2RS1: two contact elastomer lips (2RS1/2RSH spelling) over a lifetime grease fill; the lips add drag, and no reference (thermal) speed is published. Stainless is chosen for corrosion and washdown duty, not for extra load — the same-envelope chrome-steel bearing rates higher.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Common applications

  • chemical and marine atmospheres
  • medical and laboratory devices
  • small pumps handling corrosive media
  • bicycle and outdoor equipment

Known failure patterns

  • surface staining and pitting when even the stainless steel is left unlubricated in salty or acidic duty
  • seal and grease failure before the rings corrode in sustained washdown service
  • contact-seal lip hardening and pre-grease loss after long high-temperature service
  • grease-life expiry inside the sealed-for-life cavity, which has no relubrication path

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

  • Stainless bearings carry lower load ratings than chrome steel of the same envelope: W6208-2RS is quoted at C 25.1 kN versus the 18 mm-wide 52100 version — do not swap on dimensions alone.
  • Food, pharmaceutical and washdown positions need food-grade grease (e.g. NSF H1 registered) inside W6208-2RS; standard fill is industrial grease unless specified otherwise.
  • Corrosion resistance depends on clean, undamaged surfaces: never weld near W6208-2RS or scratch the raceways during mounting, since the damaged spot starts corrosion.
  • Temperatures above roughly 300 °C temper the stainless races; even standard greases fail far earlier — keep W6208-2RS inside the quoted grease temperature range.
  • Do not preload W6208-2RS to silence it: a deep-groove ball bearing is not angular-contact, and axial preload only raises temperature and shortens grease life.
  • Deep-groove geometry tolerates only minutes of misalignment; if the 80 mm housing bore cannot be aligned, move to a self-aligning bearing rather than shimming W6208-2RS.

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions of the stainless W6208-2RS?

SKF W 6208-2RS1 measures 40×80×18 mm (1.575×3.15×0.709 in), about 359 g, C 25.1 kN.

What does the W in W 6208-2RS1 mean?

W is the SKF prefix for stainless steel deep-groove bearings (rings in X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class); the rest of the designation follows the normal series and bore rules.

Can I replace a chrome-steel bearing with stainless W6208-2RS?

The envelope matches, but stainless rates lower (C 25.1 kN for W 6208-2RS1); for corrosive environments that trade-off is intended, for high loads it shortens life.

Is the stainless bearing magnetic?

Yes. Bearing stainless steels are martensitic (hardened) and magnetic; non-magnetic austenitic grades cannot be hardened enough for raceways and balls.

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.