C2218-K bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C2218-K is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 90 x 160 x 40 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 90 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 160 mm |
| Width B | 40 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 325 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 380 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 41.5 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 3800 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 5300 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 3300 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 2218 K |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings) · extracted 2026-09-27
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings); 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 & C2200-series range
| Bore d | 3.543 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 6.299 in |
| Width B | 1.575 in |
| ISO bore code | 18 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 35 mm |
| Smallest bore in C2200-series | 30 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in C2200-series | 400 mm |
| Width range across C2200-series | 20–108 mm |
| Bore position in C2200-series (smallest first) | 13 of 21 |
| Bore above smallest C2200-series size | 60 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C2218 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 90×160×40 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 2218 is the cylindrical-bore steel-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
| 22218 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (90×160×40 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 22218 E with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 22218 E locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
| 22218-EK | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (90×160×40 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 22218 EK with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 22218 EK locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
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 C2218-K model number is decoded
The CARB bearing C 2218 K combines the self-aligning behaviour of a spherical roller bearing with the axial freedom of a cylindrical bearing in one 90 mm bore, 160 mm outside diameter, 40 mm wide unit rated 325 kN dynamic. In C 2218 K the 22 dimension series fixes the 160 mm OD and 40 mm width around the 90 mm bore (code 18 × 5); the suffix K then selects the tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, pressed steel cage. CARB bearings locate neither radially nor axially: the inner ring can walk axially inside the outer ring over the catalogue-listed axial-displacement range (s), so shaft thermal growth disappears as thrust rather than preloading the 90 mm seat. The 3300 g mass over the 90×160×40 mm envelope yields about 3.61 kN dynamic per millimetre of bore — the long toroidal rollers give this family its radial capacity density. After fitting, confirm the inner ring can be pushed axially by hand through the catalogue displacement range; a ring that will not slide means the position is locked and will preload in service.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- long fan and kiln main shafts where the free end must float without thrust load
- heavy industrial gearbox layshafts used as the non-locating position
- winder and reel drums in paper and steel strip plants
- paper machine drying cylinders and calender rolls with long, thermally expanding shafts
Known failure patterns
- raceway spalling once the catalogue L10 life is exceeded or after sustained overload
- roller skew and cage damage after the bearing is clamped solid between shaft and housing shoulders
- PA66 cage (TN9) softening when the sustained temperature passes the polymer limit
- hard-particle indentation where oil or grease filtration is inadequate
- abrasive paste forming as dust bypasses the housing seals into the open washer set
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At 90 mm bore, shaft expansion is already measurable: calculate the required float inside the 40 mm wide bearing rather than assuming the free-end clearance is "enough" at operating temperature.
- Do not block the axial displacement in the drawing: housing covers, labyrinth rings and snap rings must leave the catalogue float (s) free, or the bearing silently becomes a poorly located fixed bearing.
- Envelope-identical spherical roller bearings (same ISO 15 d×D×B) are not drop-in equivalents — they locate the shaft axially, while C 2218 K must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- Reference and limiting speeds are different limits: the 3,800 r/min reference speed is the thermal criterion under load, the limiting value is the mechanical ceiling; observe the reference under load unless the arrangement calculation says otherwise.
- The quoted 325/380 kN ratings belong to this exact execution (C 2218 K); VE240 vibrating-screen variants and sealed 2CS/2NS variants have their own figures even at the same envelope.
- The 325/380 kN ratings and 3300 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 10.1 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 860); mounting data — axial displacement (s) and seating details — appears in the running text because the structured record carries the boundary envelope only.
Frequently asked questions
How is C 2218 K mounted?
The tapered 1:12 bore mounts on an adapter (H) sleeve with a defined drive-up; heat the bearing to max 120 °C when fitting, support full ring faces, and verify axial float afterwards.
What are the dimensions and ratings of the C 2218 K?
A C 2218 K measures 90 mm bore × 160 mm outside diameter × 40 mm width (3.543 × 6.299 × 1.575 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 325 kN, static C0 380 kN, fatigue limit Pu 41.5 kN, reference speed 3,800 r/min, limiting speed 5,300 r/min, mass about 3300 g.
Can a CARB bearing like C 2218 K locate the shaft axially?
No — that is the defining feature. C 2218 K deliberately allows the inner ring to float axially inside the outer ring while the toroidal rollers self-align. It must be paired with a separate locating bearing (spherical, tapered or angular contact) that takes 100 % of the thrust.
How is the C 2218 K designation read?
C = CARB toroidal family; 22 = dimension series; 18 = 90 mm bore (code 18 × 5); suffix K selects tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, pressed steel cage. K is a 1:12 tapered bore for an adapter sleeve, K30 a 1:30 bore for a withdrawal sleeve.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.