NK26-20 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The NK26-20 is a DIN 616 radial bearing sized 26 x 34 x 20 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 26 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 34 mm |
| Width B | 20 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | none |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 19.4 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 34.5 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 4.25 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 15000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 17000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 42 g |
| Manufacturer designation | NK 26/20 |
| Standard | DIN 616 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.3 machined rings with flanges, without an inner ring |
| Last verified | 2026-09-26 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.3 machined rings with flanges, without an inner ring) · extracted 2026-09-26
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.3 machined rings with flanges, without an inner ring); 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 & NK-series range
| Bore d | 1.024 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.339 in |
| Width B | 0.787 in |
| ISO bore code | — |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 4 mm |
| Smallest bore in NK-series | 5 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in NK-series | 130 mm |
| Width range across NK-series | 10–40 mm |
| Bore position in NK-series (smallest first) | 19 of 46 |
| Bore above smallest NK-series size | 21 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the NK26-20 model number is decoded
In SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000, NK 26/20 designates a flanged, machined outer ring filled with needle rollers and a cage for a 26 mm shaft — heavier section and higher accuracy than a drawn cup, with no inner ring so the journal is the raceway. Reading the designation: NK gives the series and the numbers the boundary plan — 26 mm Fw for the shaft seat, 20 mm width; the 34 mm OD comes from the dimension series, and the absence of an inner ring is built into the family name. The wide NKS/NKIS siblings share the Fw and OD but add width for higher ratings — check both when the radial space allows a wider seat. Selection arithmetic: C 19.4 kN against C0 34.5 kN gives a C0/C ratio of 1.78, and the 4.25 kN fatigue load limit Pu sets the floor for the adjusted-life calculation at contaminated lubrication. Fit the outer ring with a press and a fitting sleeve, not by hammering the flanges — rolled flanges chip; the 34 mm ground OD takes the press fit that prevents outer-ring creep in oscillating duty.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- crank pins and eccentrics where the hardened journal is the raceway
- gearbox planetary and idler gears on hardened pins
- piston-pin style pivots in hydraulic pumps
- guide rollers running on hardened tracks
Known failure patterns
- needle edge loading and raceway denting when the shaft deflects beyond the compensation range
- polymer cage deformation when the local temperature exceeds the 120 °C sustained limit
- abrasive paste formation from dust ingressing past open ends without effective housing seals
- brinelling of raceways from impact or pressing force transmitted through the rolling elements
- rapid raceway scoring when the shaft journal hardness drops below 58 HRC or the ground finish wears away
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At 26 mm bore, verify shaft deflection against the needle length: these rollers tolerate little edge loading, and a simply supported span between 26 mm seats can bend past the compensation range long before the load rating is exhausted.
- The quoted 19.4/34.5 kN ratings are SKF catalogue values for this exact execution (NK 26/20); ratings can be revised without the order number changing, so keep the catalogue version (SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000) with the drawing.
- 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.
- The 19.4/34.5 kN ratings and 42 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 7.3 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 628); combined-type axial ratings appear in the text above because the structured record carries radial values only.
Frequently asked questions
Which dimensions does the NK 26/20 have?
A NK 26/20 measures 26 mm bore/Fw × 34 mm outside diameter × 20 mm width (1.024 × 1.339 × 0.787 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: radial dynamic rating C 19.4 kN, static C0 34.5 kN, fatigue limit Pu 4.25 kN, limiting speed 17,000 r/min, reference speed 15,000 r/min, mass about 42 g.
What does NK 26/20 mean in SKF part numbering?
NK names a machined-ring needle roller bearing without inner ring: the figures give Fw 26 mm and width 20 mm, OD 34 mm comes from the dimension series, and the flanged outer ring retains the caged rollers.
Does the NK 26/20 need a hardened and ground shaft?
No. In this execution the 26 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.
What mounting mistakes ruin a NK 26/20?
Press on the ring faces only with a fitting sleeve, keep everything square to the 26 mm seat, and never transmit force through the rolling elements. Follow the catalogue's seat tolerances — the narrow needle contact forgives neither tilt nor burrs.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.3 machined rings with flanges, without an inner ring on 2026-09-26. Read our editorial & correction policy.