AXW20 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The AXW20 is a ISO 3031 radial bearing sized 20 x 38 x 3.2 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 20 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 38 mm |
| Width B | 3.2 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 12 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 47.5 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 5.6 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 4300 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 8500 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 14 g |
| Manufacturer designation | AXW 20 |
| Standard | ISO 3031 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 12.2 needle roller thrust bearings with a centring flange |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 12.2 needle roller thrust bearings with a centring flange) · extracted 2026-09-27
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 12.2 needle roller thrust bearings with a centring flange); 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 & AXW-series range
| Bore d | 0.787 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.496 in |
| Width B | 0.126 in |
| ISO bore code | — |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 9 mm |
| Smallest bore in AXW-series | 10 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in AXW-series | 68 mm |
| Width range across AXW-series | 3.2–4.2 mm |
| Bore position in AXW-series (smallest first) | 4 of 9 |
| Bore above smallest AXW-series size | 10 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the AXW20 model number is decoded
SKF lists AXW 20 in SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000 ch. 12.2: the 3.5 mm high, 26 mm diameter spigot centres the bearing radially in the housing while the needle set takes one-direction thrust of 12 kN. In AXW 20 the 20 selects the shaft clearance, while the built-in 26 mm spigot (B1 3.5 mm high) locates in a housing register; the opposing raceway stays a separately ordered LS/AS washer. The integrated washer carries a 26 mm centring spigot (3.5 mm flange height) that locates the whole unit in a matching housing register bore — the 20 mm bore clears the shaft and does no radial piloting. One direction only: AXW 20 cannot be reversed to take opposite thrust — mirror a second bearing for reversing shafts, and keep housing and shaft seats square within the ISO 104 tolerances. Because the spigot sets concentricity, the shaft fit relaxes versus a piloted washer; still harden or washer-face the opposite track to 58–64 HRC across the 22–34 mm contact band.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- material-handling swivel joints using the spigot as a built-in housing pilot
- transmission shafts where a one-piece spigot-centred thrust unit replaces a loose cage-and-washer stack at the housing register
- automotive selector and shift mechanisms needing a pre-centred flanged thrust support in a shallow housing bore
- agricultural gear drives assembled through a housing cover, where the spigot keeps the needle set concentric until the cover is bolted
Known failure patterns
- opposing-track scoring when the separate LS/AS washer or hardened 58–64 HRC face is missing or undersized
- roller skidding and raceway glazing once the thrust falls below the catalogue minimum axial load (factor A)
- needle-row denting from a single hard particle trapped in the 2 mm section
- condensation pitting in machines that run intermittently in humid environments
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- On a 20 mm shaft the register fit decides concentricity: a loose or oversize 26 mm register bore lets the 3.2 mm needle set orbit, wearing a groove in both tracks.
- The 12 kN rating still requires a hardened opposing face: the integrated washer is one raceway only, and the other track is a separate LS/AS washer or a 58–64 HRC machine face.
- the 4,300 r/min reference speed is the thermal criterion under load, limiting speed 8,500 r/min; the open needle set needs the housing to keep grit out.
- The spigot pilots in the housing register, not on the shaft: turning the 20 mm bore into a tight pilot fit, or omitting the 26 mm register bore, defeats the centring function of AXW 20.
- AXW is not an ISO-standardized interchangeable outline for every maker — check the 38×3.2 mm envelope and the 26 mm spigot before cross-brand substitution.
- The 12/47.5 kN ratings and 14 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 12.2 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 912); mounting data — Ea/Eb raceway diameters, the flange register and the load factor — appears in the running text because the structured record carries the boundary envelope only.
Frequently asked questions
How is an AXW bearing mounted?
Locate the 26 mm spigot in the housing register bore, pass the 20 mm bore over the shaft without a pilot fit, fit a separate LS/AS washer or a 58–64 HRC face on the opposite side, and press via the washer back only.
What are the dimensions and ratings of the AXW 20?
A AXW 20 measures 20 mm bore × 38 mm outside diameter × 3.2 mm width (0.787 × 1.496 × 0.126 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 12 kN, static C0 47.5 kN, fatigue limit Pu 5.6 kN, reference speed 4,300 r/min, limiting speed 8,500 r/min, mass about 14 g. Centring spigot D1 26 mm, spigot height B1 3.5 mm, contact band Ea 22–34 mm.
What is the centring spigot on the AXW 20 for?
The 26 mm diameter, 3.5 mm high spigot locates the bearing in a matching housing register and centres the needle set radially; it does not pilot on the 20 mm shaft.
How is the AXW 20 designation read?
AXW marks the spigot-flanged needle roller thrust bearing and 20 is the bore in millimetres; the series plan fixes the 38 mm OD and 3.2 mm overall height, D1 26 mm is the spigot, and the AXK 2035 needle set runs inside.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 12.2 needle roller thrust bearings with a centring flange on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.