C3172-M bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C3172-M is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 360 x 600 x 192 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 360 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 600 mm |
| Width B | 192 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | brass |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 5000 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 8000 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 585 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 800 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 1100 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 220000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 3172 M |
| 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 | 14.173 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 23.622 in |
| Width B | 7.559 in |
| ISO bore code | 72 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 120 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) | 14 of 28 |
| Bore above smallest C3100-series size | 260 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3172-KM | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 360×600×192 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 3172 KM is the 1:12 tapered-bore K M brass-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
| 23172 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 360×600×192 mm envelope as the SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23172 CC/W33, but catalogue C/C0 differ (5000/8000 kN vs 4515/6950 kN) — and the functions differ: spherical locates axially, CARB floats. Pair them; never swap one-for-one. |
| 23172-CCK-W33 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 360×600×192 mm envelope as the SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23172 CCK/W33, but catalogue C/C0 differ (5000/8000 kN vs 4515/6950 kN) — and the functions differ: spherical locates axially, CARB floats. Pair them; never swap one-for-one. |
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 C3172-M model number is decoded
C 3172 M is the dimension series 31 CARB toroidal roller bearings member of the CARB range: 360 mm bore, 600 mm OD, 192 mm width, with the asymmetrical-looking toroidal roller set that defines the CARB principle. The designation C 3172 M separates into C (CARB), 31 (dimension series), 72 (360 mm bore) and M (cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, machined brass M cage); envelope 360×600×192 mm follows the ISO 15 plan. The M suffix is a one-piece machined brass cage centred on the rollers, supplied for the 360 mm and larger sizes needing robust guidance under heavy load. Float capacity is a selection criterion: the catalogue lists the permissible axial displacement (s) for the 192 mm wide set; size the free-end housing so thermal growth stays within it, not just inside the overall width. Seat tolerances follow the ISO 15 recommendation for the heavy-loaded position — the 600 mm outer ring typically takes a loose housing fit to preserve float, and the rings must be supported across their full faces.
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
- rolling-contact fatigue spalling after the catalogue L10 life is exhausted
- abrasive paste forming as dust bypasses the housing seals into the open washer set
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Above 200 mm bore these bearings weigh tens of kilograms (220 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 3172 M must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- Never use C 3172 M 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 360 mm bore changes the sleeve family, and the drive-up procedure differs accordingly.
- The 5000/8000 kN ratings and 220000 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
How is the C 3172 M designation read?
C = CARB toroidal family; 31 = dimension series; 72 = 360 mm bore (code 72 × 5); suffix M selects cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, 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 (5000 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 3172 M is the cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, machined brass M cage.
How is C 3172 M mounted?
Slide or heat (max 120 °C) the bearing onto the 360 mm seat, give the outer ring a loose housing fit, leave the float travel unobstructed, and never press through the 192 mm roller set.
What are the dimensions and ratings of the C 3172 M?
A C 3172 M measures 360 mm bore × 600 mm outside diameter × 192 mm width (14.173 × 23.622 × 7.559 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 5000 kN, static C0 8000 kN, fatigue limit Pu 585 kN, reference speed 800 r/min, limiting speed 1,100 r/min, mass about 220000 g.
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.