NK8-16-TN bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The NK8-16-TN is a DIN 616 radial bearing sized 8 x 15 x 16 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 8 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 15 mm |
| Width B | 16 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | polymer (PA66 glass-fibre reinforced) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 5.01 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 5.85 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.67 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 32000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 36000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 12 g |
| Manufacturer designation | NK 8/16 TN |
| 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 | 0.315 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 0.591 in |
| Width B | 0.63 in |
| ISO bore code | — |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 3.5 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) | 4 of 46 |
| Bore above smallest NK-series size | 3 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the NK8-16-TN model number is decoded
SKF's machined-ring needle roller bearings without inner ring include NK 8/16 TN: 8 mm Fw, 15 mm outside diameter, 16 mm width — a machined and ground outer ring whose rolled flanges retain the needle rollers, running on the shaft as the inner raceway. Reading the designation: NK gives the series and the numbers the boundary plan — 8 mm Fw for the shaft seat, 16 mm width; the 15 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. Catalogue mass 12 g at 8×15×16 mm makes this one of the highest capacity-per-gram choices in the machined-ring needle roller bearings without inner ring; the limit is usually the shaft's ability to serve as a raceway, not the rolling contact itself. Fit the outer ring with a press and a fitting sleeve, not by hammering the flanges — rolled flanges chip; the 15 mm ground OD takes the press fit that prevents outer-ring creep in oscillating duty.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- cam followers built up from separate components
- 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
Known failure patterns
- needle edge loading and raceway denting when the shaft deflects beyond the compensation range
- 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
- false brinelling of standby equipment under external vibration
- smearing of rollers and journal during idle periods because the radial section holds too little lubricant
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At Fw 8 mm the rolling elements are under two millimetres long — handle the NK 8/16 TN like a watch part: one dropped assembly, one over-pressed cup or one coarse journal finish outweighs any catalogue rating difference.
- The quoted 5.01/5.85 kN ratings are SKF catalogue values for this exact execution (NK 8/16 TN); 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 5.01/5.85 kN ratings and 12 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 7.3 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 626); combined-type axial ratings appear in the text above because the structured record carries radial values only.
Frequently asked questions
What does NK 8/16 TN mean in SKF part numbering?
NK names a machined-ring needle roller bearing without inner ring: the figures give Fw 8 mm and width 16 mm, OD 15 mm comes from the dimension series, and the flanged outer ring retains the caged rollers.
Does the NK 8/16 TN need a hardened and ground shaft?
No. In this execution the 8 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 8/16 TN?
Press on the ring faces only with a fitting sleeve, keep everything square to the 8 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.
Is the NK 8/16 TN sealed?
No — this execution is open and depends on the housing sealing arrangement; grease it at assembly and keep the relubrication interval short in dirty duty.
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.