W6301-2RS bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The W6301-2RS is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 12 x 37 x 12 mm (bore x OD x width) with 2RS sealing. Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 12 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 37 mm |
| Width B | 12 mm |
| Material | SS440C |
| Seal / shield | 2RS |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 8.32 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 4.15 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.176 kN |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 14000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 58 g |
| Manufacturer designation | W 6301-2RS1 |
| 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 & 6300-series range
| Bore d | 0.472 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.457 in |
| Width B | 0.472 in |
| ISO bore code | 01 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 12.5 mm |
| Smallest bore in 6300-series | 2 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 6300-series | 500 mm |
| Width range across 6300-series | 3–95 mm |
| Bore position in 6300-series (smallest first) | 6 of 40 |
| Bore above smallest 6300-series size | 10 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| W6301-ZZ | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; W 6301-2Z is the two non-contact shields execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
| W6301 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; W 6301 is the open arrangement execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
| 6301 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6301 shares the 12×37×12 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (8.32/4.15 kN vs 10.1/4.15 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6301-ZZ | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6301-2Z shares the 12×37×12 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (8.32/4.15 kN vs 10.1/4.15 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6301-2RS | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6301-2RSH shares the 12×37×12 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (8.32/4.15 kN vs 10.1/4.15 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6301-RSR | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6301-2RSL shares the 12×37×12 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (8.32/4.15 kN vs 10.1/4.15 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 W6301-2RS model number is decoded
The W prefix denotes SKF stainless steel deep-groove bearings (X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class rings). In the 6300-series, bore code 01 follows the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table, so 6301 fits a 12 mm shaft. Envelope 12×37×12 mm (0.472×1.457×0.472 in), C 8.32 kN, C0 4.15 kN, Pu 0.176 kN; limiting speed 14000 r/min and mass 58 g. SKF catalogues the sealed execution as W 6301-2RS1: 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: W6301-2RS is quoted at C 8.32 kN versus the 12 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 W6301-2RS; standard fill is industrial grease unless specified otherwise.
- Corrosion resistance depends on clean, undamaged surfaces: never weld near W6301-2RS 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 W6301-2RS inside the quoted grease temperature range.
- Deep-groove geometry tolerates only minutes of misalignment; if the 37 mm housing bore cannot be aligned, move to a self-aligning bearing rather than shimming W6301-2RS.
- The fatigue load limit is 0.176 kN; it feeds the equivalent-mean-load check, not the basic life calculation — do not substitute one for the other.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of the stainless W6301-2RS?
SKF W 6301-2RS1 measures 12×37×12 mm (0.472×1.457×0.472 in), about 58 g, C 8.32 kN.
What does the W in W 6301-2RS1 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 W6301-2RS?
The envelope matches, but stainless rates lower (C 8.32 kN for W 6301-2RS1); 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.