23218 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 23218 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 90 x 160 x 52.4 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 90 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 160 mm |
| Width B | 52.4 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 372 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 440 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 48 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 2800 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 3800 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 4650 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 23218 CC/W33 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 9.1 spherical roller bearings |
| Last verified | 2026-09-26 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 9.1 spherical roller bearings) · extracted 2026-09-26
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 9.1 spherical roller bearings); 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 & 23200-series range
| Bore d | 3.543 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 6.299 in |
| Width B | 2.063 in |
| ISO bore code | 18 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 35 mm |
| Smallest bore in 23200-series | 90 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 23200-series | 870 mm |
| Width range across 23200-series | 52.4–310 mm |
| Bore position in 23200-series (smallest first) | 1 of 26 |
| Bore above smallest 23200-series size | 0 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23218 | ISO 15 | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; D/B cross-verified against Schaeffler HR1 2022; brand-specific OEM equivalents (NSK/FAG/NTN) pending multi-source data. |
| 23218-CCK-W33 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Tapered-bore (1:12) execution on H2318 adapter sleeve; same ISO 15 envelope, separate order number. |
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 23218 model number is decoded
For a 90 mm shaft carrying heavy radial load with misalignment or deflection, SKF lists 23218 under catalogue execution 23218 CC/W33: two barrel-roller rows on a sphered outer raceway. Digit by digit, 23218 reads as bearing type 2 (spherical roller, two barrel-roller rows), dimension series 32, and bore reference 18 resolving to 90 mm; 160 mm OD and 52.4 mm width are the matching ISO 15 boundary values. In SKF suffix language, E marks the optimized high-capacity design and CC/W33 the pressed-steel-cage execution with relubrication groove; both are open bearings — the sealed variant carries the 2CS5 suffix and the vibrating-screen execution VA405. Catalogue mass 4650 g for the 90×160×52.4 mm open execution covers the two pressed-steel cages with a floating guide ring; tapered-bore and sealed variants differ in mass and carry their own order numbers. Spherical roller bearings are routinely specified with C3 clearance because the tight inner-ring fit and inner/outer temperature gradient eat into the CN running clearance — check the residual clearance after mounting with feeler gauges.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- marine propulsion and thruster shafts
- cement-mill trunnion and drive shafts
- heavy conveyor head shafts in mining
- jaw and cone crusher main shafts
Known failure patterns
- raceway fatigue spalling of the sphered outer raceway after extended service above the catalogue L10 rating
- inner-ring raceway spalling from edge loading when misalignment exceeds the self-aligning recovery range
- cage pocket wear or fracture from roller skew at insufficient minimum load or rapid acceleration
- surface distress and smearing when the relubrication interval is exceeded — the W33 groove is only effective if grease actually reaches the roller rows
- electrical pitting on VFD-driven shafts without grounding protection
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Mount the 90 mm bore 23218 by induction heating (max 120 °C) or oil injection — driving a bearing of this section home through the rollers brinells both raceways, and the damage only speaks up as vibration hours later.
- The 23200-series series at 90 mm bore (160×52.4 mm) adds still more width for shock-loaded and vibratory loads; it does not interchange with a 231 bearing of the same bore because the 52.4 mm width changes abutment spacing, even though the 160 mm OD matches.
- Open spherical roller bearings rely on the housing seals; in screening or crusher duty a failed seal lets grit into the sphered raceway and the 23218 pits long before its L10 life.
- Never use the tapered-bore EK/K variant's drive-up figures on this cylindrical-bore 23218; clearance reduction targets differ, and over-driving a cylindrical bore onto an oversized journal cracks the inner ring.
- The 372/440 kN ratings are SKF catalogue values for this exact execution (23218 CC/W33); SKF can revise internal geometry without changing the order number, so keep the catalogue version (SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000) with the specification and re-verify for critical drives.
- SKF lists several executions of 23218 (cylindrical bore as listed, tapered-bore 23218 CCK/W33 variant, plus sealed and vibrating-screen options in the same envelope); they are not interchangeable order numbers — quote the full 23218 CC/W33 designation when purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions and catalogue data of 23218?
The 23218 CC/W33 is a double-row spherical roller bearing with 90 mm bore, 160 mm outer diameter and 52.4 mm width (3.543 × 6.299 × 2.063 in) per ISO 15. From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: basic dynamic load rating C 372 kN, C0 440 kN, fatigue load limit Pu 48 kN, reference speed 2,800 r/min, limiting speed 3,800 r/min, mass about 4650 g. It is an open, self-aligning bearing with two pressed-steel cages with a floating guide ring.
How does the 23218 bore code work?
The last two digits of 23218 are bore code 18, so 18 × 5 = 90 mm bore. The 160 mm OD and 52.4 mm width come from the ISO 15 dimension-series plan (dimension series 32 (medium OD, extra wide)), shared with other spherical roller bearings of the same code.
What does the CC/W33 suffix mean on 23218?
CC denotes two pressed-steel cages with a floating guide ring between the roller rows, and W33 adds an annular groove plus three lubrication holes in the outer ring for relubrication. CCK/W33 is the 1:12 tapered-bore counterpart.
Can 23218 accommodate misalignment and axial load?
Yes on both counts. The sphered outer raceway lets the bearing self-align ≈ 0.5–2.5° depending on series, absorbing shaft deflection and housing-seat errors. The two barrel-roller rows also carry bidirectional axial load in addition to heavy radial load — this is the key difference from cylindrical roller bearings, which take no axial load.
When should the tapered-bore 23218K variant be used instead?
Choose the K (1:12 tapered bore) variant when the bearing must seat on an adapter or withdrawal sleeve — typical for long shafts, frequent dismounting, or stepped shafts where machining a precision journal is impractical. Sleeve mounting requires measuring clearance reduction or axial drive-up, not nut torque. The cylindrical-bore 23218 listed here seats directly on a machined journal.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 9.1 spherical roller bearings on 2026-09-26. Read our editorial & correction policy.