C5918-MB bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

The C5918-MB is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 90 x 125 x 46 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.

Bearing dimension schematic Front view shows outer diameter D and bore d; side section shows width B. D = 125 mm d = 90 B = 46 mm side section front view
Principal dimensions: bore d 90 mm, outer diameter D 125 mm, width B 46 mm. Schematic, not to scale.

Specification table

ParameterValue
Brand SKF
Bore diameter d 90 mm
Outer diameter D 125 mm
Width B 46 mm
Material GCr15
Seal / shield open
Internal clearance CN
Tolerance class P0
Cage brass
Basic dynamic load rating C 193 kN
Basic static load rating C0 325 kN
Fatigue load limit Pu 37.5 kN
Reference speed (thermal) 2600 rpm
Limiting speed (mechanical) 4000 rpm
Operating temperature -40 to +120 °C
Mass 1750 g
Manufacturer designation C 5918 MB
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 & C5900-series range

Bore d 3.543 in
Outer diameter D 4.921 in
Width B 1.811 in
ISO bore code 18
Radial section height (D−d)/2 17.5 mm
Smallest bore in C5900-series 75 mm
Largest outer diameter in C5900-series 125 mm
Width range across C5900-series 40–46 mm
Bore position in C5900-series (smallest first) 2 of 2
Bore above smallest C5900-series size 15 mm

Cross references & equivalents

Equivalent modelBrandMatch levelNote
C5918-2CS5V-GEM9 SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
Same 90×125×46 mm envelope, but catalogue C/C0 differ between the cylindrical-bore MB inner-ring-guided brass-caged and cylindrical-bore sealed full-complement V executions (193/325 kN vs 224/400 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent.
C5918-V SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
Same 90×125×46 mm envelope, but catalogue C/C0 differ between the cylindrical-bore MB inner-ring-guided brass-caged and cylindrical-bore full-complement V executions (193/325 kN vs 224/400 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent.

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 C5918-MB model number is decoded

The CARB bearing C 5918 MB combines the self-aligning behaviour of a spherical roller bearing with the axial freedom of a cylindrical bearing in one 90 mm bore, 125 mm outside diameter, 46 mm wide unit rated 193 kN dynamic. The designation C 5918 MB separates into C (CARB), 59 (dimension series), 18 (90 mm bore) and MB (cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, machined inner-ring-guided brass cage (MB)); envelope 90×125×46 mm follows the ISO 15 plan. The MB suffix is a machined two-piece brass cage guided on the inner ring, the standard choice for wide, large-bore CARB sizes where a polymer cage would run beyond its temperature or load limit. The 1750 g mass over the 90×125×46 mm envelope yields about 2.14 kN dynamic per millimetre of bore — the long toroidal rollers give this family its radial capacity density. Seat tolerances follow the ISO 15 recommendation for the normal-load position — the 125 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

  • heavy industrial gearbox layshafts used as the non-locating position
  • winder and reel drums in paper and steel strip plants
  • paper machine drying cylinders and calender rolls with long, thermally expanding shafts
  • continuous-caster guide rolls and slab-caster segments under heat growth

Known failure patterns

  • raceway spalling once the catalogue L10 life is exceeded or after sustained overload
  • 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
  • rolling-contact fatigue spalling after the catalogue L10 life is exhausted
  • grease churning and overheating when a high-speed thrust position is over-packed

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

  • At 90 mm bore, shaft expansion is already measurable: calculate the required float inside the 46 mm wide bearing rather than assuming the free-end clearance is "enough" at operating temperature.
  • Never use C 5918 MB 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 90 mm bore changes the sleeve family, and the drive-up procedure differs accordingly.
  • Reference and limiting speeds are different limits: the 2,600 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 quoted 193/325 kN ratings belong to this exact execution (C 5918 MB); VE240 vibrating-screen variants and sealed 2CS/2NS variants have their own figures even at the same envelope.
  • The 193/325 kN ratings and 1750 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 10.1 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 860); 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 C 5918 MB mounted?

Slide or heat (max 120 °C) the bearing onto the 90 mm seat, give the outer ring a loose housing fit, leave the float travel unobstructed, and never press through the 46 mm roller set.

What are the dimensions and ratings of the C 5918 MB?

A C 5918 MB measures 90 mm bore × 125 mm outside diameter × 46 mm width (3.543 × 4.921 × 1.811 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 193 kN, static C0 325 kN, fatigue limit Pu 37.5 kN, reference speed 2,600 r/min, limiting speed 4,000 r/min, mass about 1750 g.

Can a CARB bearing like C 5918 MB locate the shaft axially?

No — that is the defining feature. C 5918 MB 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 5918 MB designation read?

C = CARB toroidal family; 59 = dimension series; 18 = 90 mm bore (code 18 × 5); suffix MB selects cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, machined inner-ring-guided brass cage (MB). K is a 1:12 tapered bore for an adapter sleeve, K30 a 1:30 bore for a withdrawal sleeve.

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.