C3232-K bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C3232-K is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 160 x 290 x 104 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 160 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 290 mm |
| Width B | 104 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 | 1830 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 170 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 1800 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 2400 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 29500 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 3232 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 & C3200-series range
| Bore d | 6.299 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 11.417 in |
| Width B | 4.094 in |
| ISO bore code | 32 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 65 mm |
| Smallest bore in C3200-series | 120 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in C3200-series | 830 mm |
| Width range across C3200-series | 76–296 mm |
| Bore position in C3200-series (smallest first) | 2 of 4 |
| Bore above smallest C3200-series size | 40 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3232 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 160×290×104 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 3232 is the cylindrical-bore steel-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
| 23232 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 160×290×104 mm envelope as the SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23232 CC/W33, but catalogue C/C0 differ (1370/1830 kN vs 1281/1660 kN) — and the functions differ: spherical locates axially, CARB floats. Pair them; never swap one-for-one. |
| 23232-CCK-W33 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 160×290×104 mm envelope as the SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23232 CCK/W33, but catalogue C/C0 differ (1370/1830 kN vs 1281/1660 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 C3232-K model number is decoded
SKF lists C 3232 K in the dimension series 32 CARB toroidal roller bearings: the toroidal roller profile both follows tolerates angular misalignment and lets the inner ring slide axially inside the outer ring, giving free axial displacement at the non-locating position. SKF builds the CARB order number from size plus execution: the bare number C 3232 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 160×290 mm size with 1370 kN dynamic and a 1,800 r/min reference speed. Float capacity is a selection criterion: the catalogue lists the permissible axial displacement (s) for the 104 mm wide set; size the free-end housing so thermal growth stays within it, not just inside the overall width. 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
- 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
- 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
- hard-particle indentation where oil or grease filtration is inadequate
- grease churning and overheating when a high-speed thrust position is over-packed
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At 160 mm bore, shaft expansion is already measurable: calculate the required float inside the 104 mm wide bearing rather than assuming the free-end clearance is "enough" at operating temperature.
- Envelope-identical spherical roller bearings (same ISO 15 d×D×B) are not drop-in equivalents — they locate the shaft axially, while C 3232 K must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- Never use C 3232 K 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.
- 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.
- Tapered-bore K executions mount on adapter sleeves (1:12) and K30 on withdrawal sleeves (1:30) — the 160 mm bore changes the sleeve family, and the drive-up procedure differs accordingly.
- The 1370/1830 kN ratings and 29500 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 10.1 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 862); 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 3232 K have?
A C 3232 K measures 160 mm bore × 290 mm outside diameter × 104 mm width (6.299 × 11.417 × 4.094 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 1370 kN, static C0 1830 kN, fatigue limit Pu 170 kN, reference speed 1,800 r/min, limiting speed 2,400 r/min, mass about 29500 g.
What does C 3232 K mean in SKF part numbering?
C marks CARB; 32 the dimension series; the size code gives 160 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 3232 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.
Is the C 3232 K 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.