W6208 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The W6208 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 40 x 80 x 18 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 40 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 80 mm |
| Width B | 18 mm |
| Material | SS440C |
| Seal / shield | open |
| 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 |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 20000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 12000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 342 g |
| Manufacturer designation | W 6208 |
| 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 model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| W6208-2RS | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 40×80×18 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; W 6208-2RS1 is the two contact elastomer seals execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
| 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. |
| 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 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 12000 r/min and mass 342 g. The open W 6208 carries no shields or seals and relies on application lubrication and external sealing. 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
- appliances exposed to moisture
- food and beverage conveyors
- pharmaceutical and packaging machines
- washdown-duty 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
- contamination wear when the open arrangement is used without external seals
- lubricant starvation where no regreasing interval is maintained
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Corrosion resistance depends on clean, undamaged surfaces: never weld near W6208 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 inside the quoted grease temperature range.
- W-prefix stainless rings (X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class) resist moisture and weak chemicals but will still rust in chloride-rich or salt-spray duty without protection — W6208 is not marine-grade stainless.
- The stainless steel is martensitic and MAGNETIC; do not reject W6208 over magnetism — only austenitic grades are non-magnetic, and those are too soft for bearing raceways.
- Fillet radii must clear the W6208 chamfer so the 18 mm-wide ring seats square; an oversized shaft radius creates point contact on the ring face.
- Do not preload W6208 to silence it: a deep-groove ball bearing is not angular-contact, and axial preload only raises temperature and shortens grease life.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of the stainless W6208?
SKF W 6208 measures 40×80×18 mm (1.575×3.15×0.709 in), about 342 g, C 25.1 kN.
What does the W in W 6208 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.
Are W stainless bearings waterproof?
No — the stainless rings resist moisture and weak chemicals far better than 52100 chrome steel, but salt spray, strong chlorides and unlubricated washdown duty can still corrode W6208; add seals and food-grade grease for wet positions.
Can I replace a chrome-steel bearing with stainless W6208?
The envelope matches, but stainless rates lower (C 25.1 kN for W 6208); for corrosive environments that trade-off is intended, for high loads it shortens life.
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.