C2218 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C2218 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 |
| 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-K | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 90×160×40 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 2218 K is the 1:12 tapered-bore K 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 model number is decoded
In SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000, C 2218 denotes a toroidal roller bearing whose 40 mm long rollers crown at both ends: the contact accepts angular misalignment while the ring positions float, which is why CARB bearings are specified at the free shaft end. SKF builds the CARB order number from size plus execution: the bare number C 2218 is the steel-caged cylindrical-bore bearing, K (or K30) makes the bore tapered for sleeve mounting, and the cage/seal letters follow — here the bare number. 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. Open executions accept relubrication — route it through the outer-ring groove on sizes that have one and purge stale grease at service intervals. Grease through the annular groove features where provided; on open executions feed lubricant past the long roller set at assembly, since the 40 mm wide cavity does not fill itself.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- vibrating screen exciters fitted with the VE240 tolerance execution
- 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
Known failure patterns
- roller-end and flange smearing after lubricant starvation at the long roller contacts
- thermal preloading when a shaft is located at both ends and growth has nowhere to go
- PA66 cage (TN9) softening when the sustained temperature passes the polymer limit
- brinelling of washer raceways from impact or mounting force applied through the rolling elements
- oil starvation at the sliding contact zones of large spherical roller thrust bearings on forced-feed trips
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.
- Tapered-bore K executions mount on adapter sleeves (1:12) and K30 on withdrawal sleeves (1:30) — the 90 mm bore changes the sleeve family, and the drive-up procedure differs accordingly.
- 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.
- 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 must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- 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
Which dimensions does the C 2218 have?
A C 2218 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.
What does C 2218 mean in SKF part numbering?
C marks CARB; 22 the dimension series; the size code gives 90 mm bore; the bare number is the execution (cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, pressed steel cage). The envelope follows ISO 15 and matches spherical roller bearing outlines, but the functions differ.
Why is C 2218 used opposite a spherical roller bearing?
The spherical bearing locates the shaft and takes thrust; the CARB bearing at the other end self-aligns but floats, absorbing thermal expansion without inducing axial load. The pair is standard on paper machine drying cylinders and long caster rolls.
Is the C 2218 sealed?
No, it is an open execution relying on the housing seals; relubrication follows the groove/hole features of the size.
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.