C3236-K bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C3236-K is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 180 x 320 x 112 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 180 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 320 mm |
| Width B | 112 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 1530 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 2200 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 193 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 1500 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 2000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 38000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 3236 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 | 7.087 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 12.598 in |
| Width B | 4.409 in |
| ISO bore code | 36 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 70 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) | 3 of 4 |
| Bore above smallest C3200-series size | 60 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3236 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 180×320×112 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 3236 is the cylindrical-bore steel-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
| 23236 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (180×320×112 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23236 CC/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23236 CC/W33 locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
| 23236-CCK-W33 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (180×320×112 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23236 CCK/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23236 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 C3236-K model number is decoded
For long shafts that grow thermally, SKF supplies C 3236 K: the toroidal rollers allow the 180 mm inner ring to displace axially without induced thrust, while still accommodating shaft deflection like a spherical bearing. The designation C 3236 K separates into C (CARB), 32 (dimension series), 36 (180 mm bore) and K (tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, pressed steel cage); envelope 180×320×112 mm follows the ISO 15 plan. The unsuffixed execution carries a pressed steel window cage — the balanced standard for the 180×320 mm size with 1530 kN dynamic and a 1,500 r/min reference speed. The 38000 g mass over the 180×320×112 mm envelope yields about 8.50 kN dynamic per millimetre of bore — the long toroidal rollers give this family its radial capacity density. 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 112 mm roller set, and leave the free-end housing shoulder clear so axial float is unrestricted.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- 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
- winder and reel drums in paper and steel strip plants
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
- At 180 mm bore, shaft expansion is already measurable: calculate the required float inside the 112 mm wide bearing rather than assuming the free-end clearance is "enough" at operating temperature.
- Never use C 3236 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.
- Tapered-bore K executions mount on adapter sleeves (1:12) and K30 on withdrawal sleeves (1:30) — the 180 mm bore changes the sleeve family, and the drive-up procedure differs accordingly.
- Envelope-identical spherical roller bearings (same ISO 15 d×D×B) are not drop-in equivalents — they locate the shaft axially, while C 3236 K must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- Reference and limiting speeds are different limits: the 1,500 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.
- The 1530/2200 kN ratings and 38000 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 3236 K locate the shaft axially?
No — that is the defining feature. C 3236 K 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 3236 K designation read?
C = CARB toroidal family; 32 = dimension series; 36 = 180 mm bore (code 36 × 5); suffix K selects tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, 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 (1530 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 3236 K is the tapered 1:12 bore for adapter (H) sleeve mounting, pressed steel cage.
How is C 3236 K 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.