NKI22-16 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The NKI22-16 is a DIN 616 radial bearing sized 22 x 34 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 | 22 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 34 mm |
| Width B | 16 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | none |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 15.7 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 26 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 3.1 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 15000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 17000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 52 g |
| Manufacturer designation | NKI 22/16 |
| Standard | DIN 616 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.4 machined rings with flanges, with an inner ring |
| Last verified | 2026-09-26 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 7.4 machined rings with flanges, with 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. 7.4 machined rings with flanges, with 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 & NKI-series range
| Bore d | 0.866 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.339 in |
| Width B | 0.63 in |
| ISO bore code | — |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 6 mm |
| Smallest bore in NKI-series | 5 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in NKI-series | 130 mm |
| Width range across NKI-series | 12–40 mm |
| Bore position in NKI-series (smallest first) | 10 of 30 |
| Bore above smallest NKI-series size | 17 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the NKI22-16 model number is decoded
NKI 22/16 provides the full machined-ring needle roller construction: ground inner ring on a 22 mm seat, flanged outer ring at 34 mm, caged needles between them — the standard choice when a replaceable inner raceway is required. The designation NKI 22/16 tells you the envelope — 22×34×16 mm — and the family tells you the construction: complete bearing, replaceable inner ring, flanged outer ring retaining the needle rollers. Inner rings are separable: order replacement inner rings separately by d×D×B, since the outer ring and roller assembly survive journals that ruin an inner raceway. Speed planning separates the two ceilings: 15,000 r/min thermal reference and 17,000 r/min mechanical limiting — needle bearings tolerate high rpm only with adequate lubricant film at the 22 mm seat. Because the inner ring is separable, mount it first against its shoulder, then slide the outer ring and roller set over it — the order avoids forcing rollers across the shaft threads or burrs.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- wheel and lever pivots needing a replaceable inner ring
- conveyor roller ends and return rollers
- agricultural implement pivots and cutter heads
- electric motor armature shafts with ground seats
Known failure patterns
- raceway spalling once the catalogue L10 life is exceeded or after overload events
- polymer cage deformation when the local temperature exceeds the 120 °C sustained limit
- grease starvation at the roller ends when relubrication intervals are stretched in dirty duty
- brinelling of raceways from impact or pressing force transmitted through the rolling elements
- inner-ring raceway spalling after the narrow ring section runs hot with excessive interference
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- On a 22 mm seat the housing bore quality dominates life: a bore 0.02 mm out of round pinches the 34 mm ring or cup into a lobed shape, and the rollers then trace the housing's geometry error, not the design load.
- Do not interchange envelope-identical needle families blindly: NKI 22/16 shares its 22×34×16 mm outline with inner-ring and sealed siblings whose ratings differ — the family letters are part of the specification, not decoration.
- Reference and limiting speeds are different limits: the 15,000 r/min reference is the thermal criterion under load, The limiting value is mechanical; the reference value is thermal under load, and grease choice moves it substantially.
- The 15.7/26 kN ratings and 52 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 7.4 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 640); combined-type axial ratings appear in the text above because the structured record carries radial values only.
Frequently asked questions
How is the NKI 22/16 designation read?
The letters mark a machined-ring needle roller bearing with inner ring: 22 mm bore, 16 mm width, 34 mm OD per the series plan. The hardened inner ring is the raceway, so an ordinary k5 shaft seat suffices.
Can the NKI 22/16 run on an unhardened shaft?
Yes — that is the point of this family. The NKI 22/16 carries its own hardened, ground inner ring on a 22 mm seat, so the shaft needs only a normal k5/j6 finish. The inner ring is separable and replaceable.
How should the NKI 22/16 be mounted?
Mount the inner ring on the 22 mm seat first (induction heat, max 120 °C, or press), then fit the flanged outer ring into the H7 housing bore. Verify free rotation and, for 2RS executions, check the wider outer ring against the housing depth.
What limits the service life of a NKI 22/16?
Beyond the L10 rating, the practical limits are journal/raceway hardness for the 22 mm seat, lubricant condition at the roller ends, and contamination through open ends — the 6.0 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. 7.4 machined rings with flanges, with an inner ring on 2026-09-26. Read our editorial & correction policy.