C3232 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C3232 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 |
| 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-K | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 160×290×104 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 3232 K is the 1:12 tapered-bore K 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 model number is decoded
C 3232 is a CARB toroidal roller bearing to ISO 15: a single row of long, symmetrical barrel-shaped rollers between guide flanges, sized 160×290×104 mm, as listed in SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000 ch. 10.1. The designation C 3232 separates into C (CARB), 32 (dimension series), 32 (160 mm bore) and the bare number (cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, pressed steel cage); envelope 160×290×104 mm follows the ISO 15 plan. The open execution relies on the housing seals and lubrication system, fed through groove/hole features on the large sizes. Explorer-class heat treatment and the crowned roller profile keep edge stress down when the 160 mm shaft deflects; the 1,800 r/min reference and 2,400 r/min limiting speed are both catalogue values. The 29500 g mass over the 160×290×104 mm envelope yields about 8.56 kN dynamic per millimetre of bore — the long toroidal rollers give this family its radial capacity density. 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
- 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
- heavy industrial gearbox layshafts used as the non-locating position
Known failure patterns
- raceway spalling once the catalogue L10 life is exceeded or after sustained overload
- 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 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.
- 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 3232 must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- Never use C 3232 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 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
What are the dimensions and ratings of the C 3232?
A C 3232 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.
Can a CARB bearing like C 3232 locate the shaft axially?
No — that is the defining feature. C 3232 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 3232 designation read?
C = CARB toroidal family; 32 = dimension series; 32 = 160 mm bore (code 32 × 5); suffix the bare number selects cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, pressed steel 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 (1370 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 3232 is the cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, pressed steel cage.
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.