C2238-K bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C2238-K is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 190 x 340 x 92 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 190 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 340 mm |
| Width B | 92 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 1370 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 1730 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 153 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 1800 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 2400 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 34500 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 2238 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 | 7.48 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 13.386 in |
| Width B | 3.622 in |
| ISO bore code | 38 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 75 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) | 20 of 21 |
| Bore above smallest C2200-series size | 160 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C2238 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 190×340×92 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 2238 is the cylindrical-bore steel-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
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 C2238-K model number is decoded
The CARB bearing C 2238 K combines the self-aligning behaviour of a spherical roller bearing with the axial freedom of a cylindrical bearing in one 190 mm bore, 340 mm outside diameter, 92 mm wide unit rated 1370 kN dynamic. SKF builds the CARB order number from size plus execution: the bare number C 2238 is the steel-caged cylindrical-bore bearing, K (or K30) makes the bore tapered for sleeve mounting, and the cage/seal letters follow — here K. The unsuffixed execution carries a pressed steel window cage — the balanced standard for the 190×340 mm size with 1370 kN dynamic and a 1,800 r/min reference speed. Speed planning separates the 1,800 r/min thermal reference from the 2,400 r/min mechanical limiting speed. The full-complement V executions carry more load but list no thermal reference speed; the steel-caged executions run faster and cooler at light load. 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
- 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 190 mm bore, shaft expansion is already measurable: calculate the required float inside the 92 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 190 mm bore changes the sleeve family, and the drive-up procedure differs accordingly.
- Reference and limiting speeds are different limits: the 1,800 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 2238 K must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- The 1370/1730 kN ratings and 34500 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 10.1 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 864); 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
What fails first on a misapplied CARB bearing?
Blocking the designed axial float — clamping the free end or locating both shaft ends — turns thermal growth into edge loading and spalls the toroidal raceways. Cage damage and ordinary fatigue follow overload or dry running.
Which dimensions does the C 2238 K have?
A C 2238 K measures 190 mm bore × 340 mm outside diameter × 92 mm width (7.48 × 13.386 × 3.622 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 1370 kN, static C0 1730 kN, fatigue limit Pu 153 kN, reference speed 1,800 r/min, limiting speed 2,400 r/min, mass about 34500 g.
What does C 2238 K mean in SKF part numbering?
C marks CARB; 22 the dimension series; the size code gives 190 mm bore; K is the execution (tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, pressed steel cage). The envelope follows ISO 15 and matches spherical roller bearing outlines, but the functions differ.
Why is C 2238 K 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.
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.