32232-DF bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

The 32232-DF is a ISO 355 radial bearing sized 160 x 290 x 168 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.

Bearing dimension schematic Front view shows outer diameter D and bore d; side section shows width B. D = 290 mm d = 160 B = 168 mm side section front view
Principal dimensions: bore d 160 mm, outer diameter D 290 mm, width B 168 mm. Schematic, not to scale.

Specification table

ParameterValue
Brand SKF
Bore diameter d 160 mm
Outer diameter D 290 mm
Width B 168 mm
Material GCr15
Seal / shield open
Internal clearance CN
Tolerance class P0
Cage steel, stamped ribbon (J-type)
Basic dynamic load rating C 1602 kN
Basic static load rating C0 2800 kN
Fatigue load limit Pu 265 kN
Reference speed (thermal) 1300 rpm
Limiting speed (mechanical) 2200 rpm
Operating temperature -40 to +120 °C
Mass 48000 g
Manufacturer designation SKF 32232/DF
Standard ISO 355
Catalog version SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.3-8.8 TRB variants
Last verified 2026-09-29

Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.3-8.8 TRB variants) · extracted 2026-09-29

Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.3-8.8 TRB variants); 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 & matched-df-series range

Bore d 6.299 in
Outer diameter D 11.417 in
Width B 6.614 in
ISO bore code 32
Radial section height (D−d)/2 65 mm
Smallest bore in matched-df-series 25 mm
Largest outer diameter in matched-df-series 540 mm
Width range across matched-df-series 34.5–280 mm
Bore position in matched-df-series (smallest first) 23 of 35
Bore above smallest matched-df-series size 135 mm

Cross references & equivalents

Equivalent modelBrandMatch levelNote
32232 ISO 15 full
Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange.
ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; brand-specific OEM equivalents (NSK/FAG/NTN) pending multi-source data.

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 32232-DF model number is decoded

A matched /DF set needs no setting adjustment at mounting: the clearance is built in; the assembler's job is clean seats, correct fits (m6 on a 160 mm rotating shaft) and square abutments.Ordering number SKF 32232/DF in SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000 denotes two single-row tapered roller bearings supplied as a matched face-to-face (X) matched pair set for a 160 mm shaft — one order number, one factory setting.The code breaks down as base bearing 32232 plus matched-set suffix /DF: two bearings of the 160 mm bore size, paired face-to-face (X) matched pair, with the 168 mm overall width spanning the whole arrangement. In the face-to-face (X) arrangement the load lines of the two bearings converge toward the shaft axis: the set tolerates shaft deflection and thermal growth better than a back-to-back pair, but is less stiff against overturning moments. The 168 mm overall width of 32232-DF is the axial space the pair occupies. Speed planning for the set uses the catalogue pair values: 1,300 r/min thermal reference and 2,200 r/min mechanical limiting speed — a matched pair runs warmer than one bearing because two roller sets share the 168 mm space. Load system: C 1602 kN against C0 2800 kN gives a 1.75 balance, and 10.01 kN of dynamic capacity per millimetre of the 160 mm bore is the density figure to compare against neighbouring sizes. Mounting order matters for 32232-DF: seat the first bearing, fit the ground spacer, then the second bearing, and clamp axially as a unit — the 168 mm catalogue width is the assembled result and the gauge for correct assembly.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Common applications

  • offshore winch and drawworks drums
  • rolling-mill roll-neck bearings
  • heavy-duty rolling-mill gearboxes
  • marine propulsion gearboxes

Known failure patterns

  • axial overload spalling at the roller-rib contact beyond the single-row thrust rating
  • preload loss as the mounted pair relaxes, letting rollers skid and smear the raceways
  • pressed-steel cage wear or fracture after prolonged running above the limiting speed
  • electrical pitting on VFD-driven shafts without grounding protection
  • rolling-contact fatigue spalling after the rated L10 life is exceeded

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

  • A matched /DF set is ground as one system: never separate the two bearings of 32232-DF or swap the spacer — the factory clearance is lost the moment the set is broken.
  • Clamp the 32232-DF pair axially through the cones, never through the rollers; pressing force across the roller complement brinells the raceways of both bearings at once.
  • Spacer faces must stay parallel within the set's own tolerance; a tilted spacer in 32232-DF concentrates reversing thrust on one bearing and shows up as one-sided raceway wear.
  • The 1602/2800 kN ratings are SKF catalogue 17000 values for this execution; SKF can revise internal geometry without changing the order number, so keep the catalogue version (PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN, 2018) with the specification.
  • Quote the full SKF 32232/DF designation when purchasing — base-number-only orders are ambiguous across executions and variants.

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions and catalogue data of 32232-DF?

The SKF 32232/DF is a matched pair of single-row tapered roller bearings in face-to-face (X) matched pair arrangement with 160 mm bore, 290 mm outer diameter and 168 mm overall width (6.299 × 11.417 × 6.614 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: basic dynamic load rating C 1602 kN, C0 2800 kN, fatigue load limit Pu 265 kN, reference speed 1,300 r/min, limiting speed 2,200 r/min, mass about 48.00 kg.

What does the /DF suffix on 32232-DF mean?

The base 32232 is the ISO 355 single-row bearing; the /DF suffix marks the matched-set execution — the arrangement (face-to-face (X)), the ground spacer and the factory-set axial clearance class. A matched set cannot be assembled from loose single bearings; quote the full designation when ordering.

Are the C and C0 ratings of 32232-DF for one bearing or the pair?

They are for the complete matched pair: C 1602 kN dynamic and C0 2800 kN static already include load sharing between the two bearings. Do not halve them for single-bearing checks, and do not compare them directly with the single-row 32232 table values.

Can 32232-DF be adjusted like two loose tapered bearings?

No — the axial clearance is set at the factory by selective spacer grinding. Mounting work is limited to clean seats, correct fits (m6 on a rotating 160 mm shaft) and axial clamping through the cones; re-setting in the field destroys the matched clearance class.

When should a face-to-face (X) matched set be chosen?

Choose the face-to-face (X) set where the shaft grows thermally or alignment is imperfect — the converging load lines tolerate deflection. It is the default choice for wheel hubs and general gearbox shafts at the 160 mm bore.

Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.3-8.8 TRB variants on 2026-09-29. Read our editorial & correction policy.