NU2356-MA bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The NU2356-MA is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 280 x 580 x 175 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 280 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 580 mm |
| Width B | 175 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | brass |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 2700 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 4300 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 365 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 1000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 1700 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 230000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF NU 2356 MA |
| 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 & NU2300-series range
| Bore d | 11.024 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 22.835 in |
| Width B | 6.89 in |
| ISO bore code | 56 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 150 mm |
| Smallest bore in NU2300-series | 20 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in NU2300-series | 750 mm |
| Width range across NU2300-series | 21–224 mm |
| Bore position in NU2300-series (smallest first) | 31 of 35 |
| Bore above smallest NU2300-series size | 260 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the NU2356-MA model number is decoded
In SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000, SKF NU 2356 MA denotes a single-row caged cylindrical roller bearing on the ISO 15 280×580×175 mm envelope, dimension series 23 (medium-section, wide), with catalogue mass 230000 g. The NU configuration means two integral flanges on the outer ring and no flanges on the inner ring, so the inner ring together with the roller set is separable; functionally the bearing is non-locating: the inner ring assembly can float axially in both directions and the bearing cannot support axial load. Reading the order-string suffix MA: the basic (non-E) MA execution with a machined brass cage, standard for the larger and earlier-design sizes. Load-per-bore for the 280 mm seat is about 9.64 kN/mm, typical of dimension series 23 (medium-section, wide); use C0 4300 kN for static checks such as crane hook blocks standing under load. Fit practice for NU2356-MA: fit the inner ring and roller assembly onto the shaft and the outer ring into the housing independently; thermal expansion is absorbed by axial float, so do not trap the inner ring between shaft shoulders. 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
- offshore drawworks shafts
- large rolling-mill drive trains
- marine propulsion line shafts
- heavy turbogenerator rotor supports
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
- cage pocket wear from roller skew at light load
- 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
- hard-particle indentation of the raceway in unfiltered oil systems
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Do not use a NU bearing where axial load must be carried — the design carries radial load only
- The dimension series 23 (medium-section, wide) envelope is shared with the N/NU/NJ/NUP executions of 2356, but flange configuration and axial-locating behaviour differ — quote the full SKF NU 2356 MA and do not substitute rib styles without checking the shaft locating scheme.
- Press-fit force goes through ring faces only; driving a ring home through the rollers brinells the 580 mm raceway.
- Press-fit force goes through ring faces only; driving a ring home through the rollers brinells the 580 mm raceway.
- The 2700/4300 kN ratings are SKF catalogue 17000 (2018) values for the MA 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 NU2356-MA?
SKF NU 2356 MA is a single-row caged cylindrical roller bearing with 280 mm bore, 580 mm OD and 175 mm width per ISO 15. SKF lists C 2700 kN, C0 4300 kN, Pu 365 kN, reference speed 1,000 r/min and limiting speed 1,700 r/min, mass about 230000 g.
What does the NU designation and MA suffix mean?
The MA suffix marks the basic (non-E) execution with a machined brass cage, the standard choice for the larger and earlier-design sizes. Structurally this execution has two integral flanges on the outer ring and no flanges on the inner ring, so the inner ring together with the roller set is separable.
Can NU2356-MA take axial load and locate the shaft?
No — the inner ring has no flanges, so the NU bearing is non-locating and carries radial load only; use NJ (one direction), NUP (both directions) or a paired thrust bearing for axial duty.
How does NU2356-MA 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.