NKI6-16-TN bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The NKI6-16-TN is a DIN 616 radial bearing sized 6 x 16 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 | 6 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 16 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 | 5.72 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 7.2 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.815 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 30000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 34000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 17 g |
| Manufacturer designation | NKI 6/16 TN |
| 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 | 0.236 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 0.63 in |
| Width B | 0.63 in |
| ISO bore code | — |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 5 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) | 2 of 30 |
| Bore above smallest NKI-series size | 1 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the NKI6-16-TN model number is decoded
NKI 6/16 TN is a machined-ring needle roller bearing with an inner ring: flanged outer ring plus a separate 6 mm bore inner ring, so the shaft seat needs only ordinary tolerance, as tabulated by SKF in SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000. In SKF nomenclature the leading letters mark a machined-ring needle bearing with inner ring: figures state 6 mm d and 16 mm B, the 16 mm outside diameter from the machined-ring needle roller bearings with inner ring, and the 2RS suffix would add contact seals. The 2RS executions of the 49 series carry contact seals on both faces and a wider outer ring — their B and s dimensions differ from the open execution, so housings must be re-checked before substituting. The 17 g catalogue mass and 5.0 mm radial section ((16−6)/2) frame a rating of about 0.95 kN dynamic per millimetre of bore — the needle construction's density advantage over ball bearings of the same envelope. For NA 49 2RS executions the wider outer ring changes the housing depth: verify the 16 mm width and s offset dimensions against the open execution before reusing an existing bore.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- conveyor roller ends and return rollers
- agricultural implement pivots and cutter heads
- electric motor armature shafts with ground seats
- printing and paper-handling rollers
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
- hard-particle indentation in unfiltered lubricant
- inner-ring bore fretting on a loose shaft seat, migrating hard particles into the rolling contact
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At Fw 6 mm the rolling elements are under two millimetres long — handle the NKI 6/16 TN like a watch part: one dropped assembly, one over-pressed cup or one coarse journal finish outweighs any catalogue rating difference.
- The quoted 5.72/7.2 kN ratings are SKF catalogue values for this exact execution (NKI 6/16 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 5.72/7.2 kN ratings and 17 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 7.4 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 638); combined-type axial ratings appear in the text above because the structured record carries radial values only.
Frequently asked questions
Which dimensions does the NKI 6/16 TN have?
A NKI 6/16 TN measures 6 mm bore/Fw × 16 mm outside diameter × 16 mm width (0.236 × 0.63 × 0.63 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: radial dynamic rating C 5.72 kN, static C0 7.2 kN, fatigue limit Pu 0.815 kN, limiting speed 34,000 r/min, reference speed 30,000 r/min, mass about 17 g.
What does NKI 6/16 TN mean in SKF part numbering?
The letters mark a machined-ring needle roller bearing with inner ring: 6 mm bore, 16 mm width, 16 mm OD per the series plan. The hardened inner ring is the raceway, so an ordinary k5 shaft seat suffices.
Does the NKI 6/16 TN need a hardened and ground shaft?
Yes — that is the point of this family. The NKI 6/16 TN carries its own hardened, ground inner ring on a 6 mm seat, so the shaft needs only a normal k5/j6 finish. The inner ring is separable and replaceable.
What mounting mistakes ruin a NKI 6/16 TN?
Mount the inner ring on the 6 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.
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.