C3164-KM bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C3164-KM is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 320 x 540 x 176 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 320 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 540 mm |
| Width B | 176 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | brass |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 4150 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 6300 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 480 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 900 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 1300 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 164000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 3164 KM |
| 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 & C3100-series range
| Bore d | 12.598 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 21.26 in |
| Width B | 6.929 in |
| ISO bore code | 64 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 110 mm |
| Smallest bore in C3100-series | 100 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in C3100-series | 1580 mm |
| Width range across C3100-series | 52–462 mm |
| Bore position in C3100-series (smallest first) | 12 of 28 |
| Bore above smallest C3100-series size | 220 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3164-M | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 320×540×176 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 3164 M is the cylindrical-bore M brass-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
| 23164 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (320×540×176 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23164 CC/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23164 CC/W33 locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
| 23164-CCK-W33 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (320×540×176 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23164 CCK/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23164 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 C3164-KM model number is decoded
C 3164 KM is a CARB toroidal roller bearing to ISO 15: a single row of long, symmetrical barrel-shaped rollers between guide flanges, sized 320×540×176 mm, as listed in SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000 ch. 10.1. In C 3164 KM the 31 dimension series fixes the 540 mm OD and 176 mm width around the 320 mm bore (code 64 × 5); the suffix KM then selects the tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, machined brass M cage. The KM suffix is a one-piece machined brass cage centred on the rollers, supplied for the 320 mm and larger sizes needing robust guidance under heavy load. Speed planning separates the 900 r/min thermal reference from the 1,300 r/min mechanical limiting speed. The full-complement V executions carry more load but list no thermal reference speed; the brass-caged executions run faster and cooler at light load. Mounting: mount on the adapter (H) sleeve matched to the 1:12 tapered bore, drive up to the catalogue reduction and lock the nut; never press through the 176 mm roller set, and leave the free-end housing shoulder clear so axial float is unrestricted.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- paper machine drying cylinders and calender rolls with long, thermally expanding shafts
- continuous-caster guide rolls and slab-caster segments under heat growth
- vibrating screen exciters fitted with the VE240 tolerance execution
- long fan and kiln main shafts where the free end must float without thrust load
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
- false brinelling and rust-red witness marks on standby machines under external vibration
- oil starvation at the sliding contact zones of large spherical roller thrust bearings on forced-feed trips
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Above 200 mm bore these bearings weigh tens of kilograms (164 kg here) — lifting gear and induction heating are mandatory, and a cocked ring scores the toroidal raceway before start-up.
- 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 3164 KM must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- Never use C 3164 KM 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.
- Tapered-bore K executions mount on adapter sleeves (1:12) and K30 on withdrawal sleeves (1:30) — the 320 mm bore changes the sleeve family, and the drive-up procedure differs accordingly.
- The 4150/6300 kN ratings and 164000 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
Can a CARB bearing like C 3164 KM locate the shaft axially?
No — that is the defining feature. C 3164 KM 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 3164 KM designation read?
C = CARB toroidal family; 31 = dimension series; 64 = 320 mm bore (code 64 × 5); suffix KM selects tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, machined brass M cage. K is a 1:12 tapered bore for an adapter sleeve, K30 a 1:30 bore for a withdrawal sleeve.
What is the difference between V and TN9 CARB executions?
V is the full-complement execution with no cage — more rollers, higher C (4150 kN here) but a lower speed ceiling and no thermal reference speed. TN9 is the glass-fibre PA66 caged execution, faster and quieter at somewhat lower load. C 3164 KM is the tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, machined brass M cage.
How is C 3164 KM 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.
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.