NK16-20-XL bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (HR1 2026-09-25) · extracted 2026-09-30

Parameters extracted from the official FAG Rolling Bearings catalogue (HR1 2026-09-25); FAG® is a trademark of Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized FAG/Schaeffler distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at schaeffler.com.

Cross references & equivalents

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 NK16-20-XL model number is decoded

envelope 16×24×20 mm: 16 mm seat is the hardened and ground shaft journal itself — there is no inner ring, with a thin 4.0 mm radial section packed with small-diameter needle rollers C is 16.3 kN and C0 18.8 kN at the 16 mm seat; the C/C0 ratio of 0.87 is characteristic of a needle bearing — high static rating relative to dynamic in a compact 24 mm outside diameter the fatigue load limit Cur is 3.35 kN, the limiting speed 23,200 r/min and the thermal reference speed 15,900 r/min; for small needle bearings the reference speed can exceed the kinematic limit, so the lower of the two governs the application dynamic capacity per millimetre of bore is 1.02 kN/mm and per millimetre of width 0.82 kN/mm — the reason 20 mm-wide needle bearings routinely replace much larger ball or roller positions mass is 28.4 g, just 0.06 g per mm² of projected 24×20 mm envelope, which keeps unbalanced forces low in fast-actuating linkages with a 16 mm bore the 20 mm width and 16.3 kN C rating suit high-cycle industrial machinery rather than instrument duty The hardness requirement is unforgiving: below about 58 HRC the 16 mm journal brinels under the 18.8 kN static rating, and roughness above raceway finish accelerates roller wear The thin 4.0 mm section makes the 28.4 g bearing sensitive to seat geometry — a tapered or lobed journal preloads part of the needle set and shows up as local pitting -XL means this is an X-life bearing — Schaeffler's upgraded performance level with smoother raceways, so the 16.3 kN C rating and longer nominal life come without an envelope change. Typical applications include copying and printing machine mechanisms, gearbox selector and change linkages and hydraulic and pneumatic pump eccentrics, where the 24 mm outside diameter and 16.3 kN dynamic rating match the duty. In copying and printing machine mechanisms the unit fits a compact 16 mm seat, and in gearbox selector and change linkages the 28.4 g mass keeps unbalanced forces low in fast linkages. Designers also specify it for hydraulic and pneumatic pump eccentrics, relying on the 20 mm width and the published 18.8 kN static rating. Without an inner ring the shaft is the raceway: 58–64 HRC and a ground, polished journal are mandatory, not recommendations. On reciprocating duty ensure the stroke rotates the full needle set, or brinelling occurs at the same roller positions.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Without an inner ring the shaft is the raceway: 58–64 HRC and a ground, polished journal are mandatory, not recommendations.
• On reciprocating duty ensure the stroke rotates the full needle set, or brinelling occurs at the same roller positions.
• Adding an IR inner ring changes the envelope logic: the same outer assembly then fits a smaller shaft — recheck bore, clearance and ratings when substituting.