K38X46X32 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The K38X46X32 is a DIN 5402 radial bearing sized 38 x 46 x 32 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 38 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 46 mm |
| Width B | 32 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | none |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 52.3 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 100 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 12.5 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 10000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 12000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 76 g |
| Manufacturer designation | K 38x46x32 |
| Standard | DIN 5402 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.1 needle roller and cage assemblies |
| Last verified | 2026-09-26 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.1 needle roller and cage assemblies) · extracted 2026-09-26
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.1 needle roller and cage assemblies); 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 & K-series range
| Bore d | 1.496 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.811 in |
| Width B | 1.26 in |
| ISO bore code | — |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 4 mm |
| Smallest bore in K-series | 3 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in K-series | 63 mm |
| Width range across K-series | 7–32 mm |
| Bore position in K-series (smallest first) | 15 of 22 |
| Bore above smallest K-series size | 35 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the K38X46X32 model number is decoded
K 38x46x32 is a caged needle roller set, not a complete bearing: paired with a 58–64 HRC ground journal of 38 mm and a housing bore of 46 mm, it forms a full rolling bearing with the smallest possible radial space demand. In the K code K 38x46x32, Fw×E×B reads directly as journal 38 mm, complement diameter 46 mm and cage width 32 mm; the housing bore is ground to E with H6/H7 tolerance to complete the outer raceway. No suffix on the order number means the standard single-row assembly; the polymer TN cage version is the usual choice for grease-lubricated pivots where noise matters. Selection arithmetic: C 52.3 kN against C0 100 kN gives a C0/C ratio of 1.91, and the 12.5 kN fatigue load limit Pu sets the floor for the adjusted-life calculation at contaminated lubrication. Lubrication reaches both raceways through the open cage windows; grease the bore and journal before assembly, since after fitting the 32 mm narrow cage cannot be relubricated through a closed housing.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- connecting rods of small compressors where radial height is critical
- rocker arm and rocker pin pivots on camshafts
- pump and gearbox idler gears running on hardened pins
- hinge and pivot joints in printing and textile machinery
Known failure patterns
- raceway spalling once the catalogue L10 life is exceeded or after overload events
- cage pocket wear and roller skew after sustained operation with too little radial preload
- abrasive paste formation from dust ingressing past open ends without effective housing seals
- electrical erosion on VFD-driven shafts without brush or insulated mounting
- smearing of rollers and journal during idle periods because the radial section holds too little lubricant
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At 38 mm bore, verify shaft deflection against the needle length: these rollers tolerate little edge loading, and a simply supported span between 38 mm seats can bend past the compensation range long before the load rating is exhausted.
- Oscillating pivots fail differently: rocking through a small angle concentrates wear in the same roller positions — inspect those zones, and consider rotating the assembly's clock position at service intervals.
- Contamination, not fatigue, kills most small needle bearings: with raceways this narrow, one hard particle dents a full-width line — seal the housing even when the bearing execution itself is open.
- The 52.3/100 kN ratings and 76 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 7.1 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 618); combined-type axial ratings appear in the text above because the structured record carries radial values only.
Frequently asked questions
How is the K 38x46x32 designation read?
K = needle roller and cage assembly (DIN 5402); the three figures give Fw 38 mm (shaft journal), E 46 mm (complement outside diameter, matched by the housing bore) and B 32 mm width. TN marks the glass fibre reinforced PA66 cage.
Can the K 38x46x32 run on an unhardened shaft?
No. In this execution the 38 mm shaft journal is the inner raceway: it must be ground and hardened to 58–64 HRC (with matching housing bore quality on the outside). If the shaft cannot meet that, order the inner-ring sibling (NKI/NA execution) plus its ground inner ring instead.
How should the K 38x46x32 be mounted?
Slide the assembly over the ground 38 mm journal with a mounting sleeve, bore the housing to E 46 mm, and retain with a washer spanning the cage. Never press against the cage or rotate before the bearing is lubricated and loaded.
What limits the service life of a K 38x46x32?
Beyond the L10 rating, the practical limits are journal/raceway hardness for the 38 mm seat, lubricant condition at the roller ends, and contamination through open ends — the 4.0 mm radial section leaves no reserve once a raceway is dented or ribboned.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.1 needle roller and cage assemblies on 2026-09-26. Read our editorial & correction policy.