C3038 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C3038 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 190 x 290 x 75 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 | 290 mm |
| Width B | 75 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 930 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 1460 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 132 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 1800 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 2400 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 17500 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 3038 |
| 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 & C3000-series range
| Bore d | 7.48 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 11.417 in |
| Width B | 2.953 in |
| ISO bore code | 38 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 50 mm |
| Smallest bore in C3000-series | 120 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in C3000-series | 1420 mm |
| Width range across C3000-series | 46–308 mm |
| Bore position in C3000-series (smallest first) | 5 of 33 |
| Bore above smallest C3000-series size | 70 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3038-K | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 190×290×75 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 3038 K is the 1:12 tapered-bore K steel-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
| 23038 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (190×290×75 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23038 CC/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23038 CC/W33 locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
| 23038-CCK-W33 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (190×290×75 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23038 CCK/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23038 CCK/W33 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 C3038 model number is decoded
For long shafts that grow thermally, SKF supplies C 3038: the toroidal rollers allow the 190 mm inner ring to displace axially without induced thrust, while still accommodating shaft deflection like a spherical bearing. SKF builds the CARB order number from size plus execution: the bare number C 3038 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. The cylindrical 190 mm bore mounts directly on a machined seat; the outer ring takes a loose housing fit so the bearing can float axially. The same size is listed in both bore executions, and the boundary dimensions 190×290×75 mm are identical — only the mounting method changes. 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. 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 75 mm wide cavity does not fill itself.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- 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
- continuous-caster guide rolls and slab-caster segments under heat growth
Known failure patterns
- roller-end and flange smearing after lubricant starvation at the long roller contacts
- edge loading and premature spalling when the CARB position is blocked from its designed axial float
- brass cage pocket wear under marginal lubrication in the large-bore M/MB executions
- brinelling of washer raceways from impact or mounting force applied through the rolling elements
- abrasive paste forming as dust bypasses the housing seals into the open washer set
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At 190 mm bore, shaft expansion is already measurable: calculate the required float inside the 75 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.
- Never use C 3038 as the locating bearing: it carries no axial load by design — the arrangement needs a separate locating spherical, tapered or angular bearing facing the thrust.
- The quoted 930/1460 kN ratings belong to this exact execution (C 3038); VE240 vibrating-screen variants and sealed 2CS/2NS variants have their own figures even at the same envelope.
- The 930/1460 kN ratings and 17500 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 3038 have?
A C 3038 measures 190 mm bore × 290 mm outside diameter × 75 mm width (7.48 × 11.417 × 2.953 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 930 kN, static C0 1460 kN, fatigue limit Pu 132 kN, reference speed 1,800 r/min, limiting speed 2,400 r/min, mass about 17500 g.
What does C 3038 mean in SKF part numbering?
C marks CARB; 30 the dimension series; the size code gives 190 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 3038 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.