NJ2304-ECP bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

The NJ2304-ECP is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 20 x 52 x 21 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 = 52 mm d = 20 B = 21 mm side section front view
Principal dimensions: bore d 20 mm, outer diameter D 52 mm, width B 21 mm. Schematic, not to scale.

Specification table

ParameterValue
Brand SKF
Bore diameter d 20 mm
Outer diameter D 52 mm
Width B 21 mm
Material GCr15
Seal / shield open
Internal clearance CN
Tolerance class P0
Cage polymer (PA66 glass-fibre reinforced)
Basic dynamic load rating C 47.5 kN
Basic static load rating C0 38 kN
Fatigue load limit Pu 4.8 kN
Reference speed (thermal) 15000 rpm
Limiting speed (mechanical) 18000 rpm
Operating temperature -40 to +120 °C
Mass 220 g
Manufacturer designation SKF NJ 2304 ECP
Standard ISO 15
Catalog version SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 6.1 single-row cylindrical roller bearings
Last verified 2026-09-26

Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 6.1 single-row cylindrical roller bearings) · extracted 2026-09-26

Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 6.1 single-row cylindrical 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 & NJ2300-series range

Bore d 0.787 in
Outer diameter D 2.047 in
Width B 0.827 in
ISO bore code 04
Radial section height (D−d)/2 16 mm
Smallest bore in NJ2300-series 20 mm
Largest outer diameter in NJ2300-series 540 mm
Width range across NJ2300-series 21–165 mm
Bore position in NJ2300-series (smallest first) 1 of 28
Bore above smallest NJ2300-series size 0 mm

Cross references & equivalents

Equivalent modelBrandMatch levelNote
NU2304-ECP SKF full
Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange.
Same ISO 15 envelope 20×52×21 mm and equivalent catalogue ratings; the NU execution differs in flange/retaining-ring configuration — boundary-dimension interchangeable, but axial-locating behaviour is not identical.
NUP2304-ECP SKF full
Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange.
Same ISO 15 envelope 20×52×21 mm and equivalent catalogue ratings; the NUP execution differs in flange/retaining-ring configuration — boundary-dimension interchangeable, but axial-locating behaviour is not identical.

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 NJ2304-ECP model number is decoded

For a 20 mm shaft, SKF lists NJ2304-ECP as single-row caged cylindrical roller: 52 mm OD, 21 mm wide, Pu 4.8 kN, the catalogue lists 15,000 r/min thermal reference speed and 18,000 r/min mechanical limiting speed. Reading the NJ prefix: two integral flanges on the inner ring and no flanges on the outer ring; the inner ring retains the roller set. This makes the execution able to locate the shaft axially in one direction; an HJ angle ring on the opposite side converts it into two-direction location. The ECP suffix marks the E-design execution with a glass-fibre reinforced polyamide (PA66) cage, limited to 120 °C continuous. The glass-fibre reinforced polyamide (PA66) window-type cage is reflected in the published speeds and temperature limits. Load-per-bore for the 20 mm seat is about 2.38 kN/mm, typical of dimension series 23 (medium-section, wide); use C0 38 kN for static checks such as crane hook blocks standing under load. Fit practice for NJ2304-ECP: orient the inner-ring flange side toward the axial load direction; if an HJ angle ring is used, verify its fit and clearance before locking the arrangement. Single-row cylindrical rollers tolerate only about 3–4 minutes of arc misalignment, so verify shaft and housing alignment.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Common applications

  • small pump rotor shafts
  • small industrial electric-motor shafts
  • light gearbox layshafts
  • motor-cycle and small-engine transmissions

Known failure patterns

  • inner-ring raceway spalling from overload or contamination in the line-contact hertz zone
  • outer-ring raceway fatigue after extended service at loads above the catalogue L10 rating
  • polymer cage softening above 120 °C
  • polymer cage cracking or softening after sustained running above 120 °C or with incompatible lubricant
  • roller-end scoring from inadequate oil flow in the roller-raceway contact
  • edge-loading fatigue after shaft deflection beyond the 3–4 minute alignment limit
  • electrical pitting on VFD-driven shafts without grounding protection

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

  • Do not use a NJ bearing where two-direction axial location is required without an HJ angle ring
  • The dimension series 23 (medium-section, wide) envelope is shared with the N/NU/NJ/NUP executions of 2304, but flange configuration and axial-locating behaviour differ — quote the full SKF NJ 2304 ECP and do not substitute rib styles without checking the shaft locating scheme.
  • Shaft and housing fillets must clear the bearing chamfers; an oversized radius tilts the 21 mm-wide ring and concentrates load.
  • Catalogue reference and limiting speeds are different criteria: observe the mechanical ceiling even when thermal calculations allow more.
  • The 47.5/38 kN ratings are SKF catalogue 17000 (2018) values for the ECP execution; re-verify against the current catalogue for critical drives and keep the catalogue version with the specification.

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions and catalogue data of NJ2304-ECP?

SKF NJ 2304 ECP is a single-row caged cylindrical roller bearing with 20 mm bore, 52 mm OD and 21 mm width per ISO 15. SKF lists C 47.5 kN, C0 38 kN, Pu 4.8 kN, reference speed 15,000 r/min and limiting speed 18,000 r/min, mass about 220 g.

What does the NJ designation and ECP suffix mean?

The ECP suffix marks the E-design execution with a glass-fibre reinforced polyamide (PA66) cage, limited to 120 °C continuous. Structurally this execution has two integral flanges on the inner ring and no flanges on the outer ring; the inner ring retains the roller set.

Can NJ2304-ECP take axial load and locate the shaft?

In one direction only, via the two inner-ring flanges. Add an HJ angle ring on the opposite side for two-direction location.

How does NJ2304-ECP compare with the other executions in the same envelope?

The N/NU/NJ/NUP executions share the ISO 15 envelope and load ratings but differ in flange arrangement and axial-locating behaviour; quote the exact order number.

What limits the service life of this bearing most often?

Line-contact fatigue above the L10 rating, cage wear at light loads and high temperatures, and edge loading from misalignment beyond about 3–4 minutes of arc are the typical failure drivers.

Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 6.1 single-row cylindrical roller bearings on 2026-09-26. Read our editorial & correction policy.