NKI10-16-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 NKI10-16-XL model number is decoded

envelope 10×22×16 mm: 10 mm bore accepts a normal-tolerance machined shaft via the integral inner ring, with a thin 6.0 mm radial section packed with small-diameter needle rollers C is 11.4 kN and C0 11.5 kN at the 10 mm seat; the C/C0 ratio of 0.99 is characteristic of a needle bearing — high static rating relative to dynamic in a compact 22 mm outside diameter the fatigue load limit Cur is 2.14 kN, the limiting speed 24,600 r/min and the thermal reference speed 16,400 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 1.14 kN/mm and per millimetre of width 0.71 kN/mm — the reason 16 mm-wide needle bearings routinely replace much larger ball or roller positions mass is 29.4 g, just 0.08 g per mm² of projected 22×16 mm envelope, which keeps unbalanced forces low in fast-actuating linkages at 10 mm bore this is one of the smallest HR1 executions — chosen where a 22 mm envelope must carry line-contact loads that no miniature ball bearing could take Cur 2.14 kN, limiting speed 24,600 r/min, reference speed 16,400 r/min — the inner ring adds a few grams (total 29.4 g) but removes the hardening requirement The integral inner ring brings the bore to 10 mm inside the 22×16 mm envelope; removing that ring gives the corresponding RNA/NK execution and a larger shaft for the same housing The -XL suffix marks the X-life execution: refined raceway topography and upgraded materials lift the basic ratings versus the non-X-life bearing at the same 10×22×16 mm envelope. Typical applications include rocker arms and valve trains, two-stroke and compressor piston pins and small electric motor accessory drives, where the 22 mm outside diameter and 11.4 kN dynamic rating match the duty. In rocker arms and valve trains the unit fits a compact 10 mm seat, and in two-stroke and compressor piston pins the 29.4 g mass keeps unbalanced forces low in fast linkages. Designers also specify it for small electric motor accessory drives, relying on the 16 mm width and the published 11.5 kN static rating. Needle bearings are pure-radial units — any thrust must be taken by separate washers or an adjacent bearing, especially on flangeless RNAO/NAO. Do not press an RNA/NK assembly in through the outer ring when mounting it on a shaft, and vice versa — rolling forces through the wrong ring bruises the raceways.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Needle bearings are pure-radial units — any thrust must be taken by separate washers or an adjacent bearing, especially on flangeless RNAO/NAO.
• Do not press an RNA/NK assembly in through the outer ring when mounting it on a shaft, and vice versa — rolling forces through the wrong ring bruises the raceways.
• Without an inner ring the shaft is the raceway: 58–64 HRC and a ground, polished journal are mandatory, not recommendations.