Deep Groove Ball Bearings

Inch Size
1600 Series

Bore d

Outer Diameter D

Width W

Basic Load Rating

Weight

Bearing Number
in.

mm

in.

mm

in.

mm

Dynamic Cr (N)

Static Cor (N)

kg.

1601

3/16

4.762

11/16

17.462

1/4

6.350

1510

720

0.007

1602

1/4

6.350

11/16

17.462

1/4

6.350

1510

720

0.006

1603

5/16

7.938

7/8

22.225

9/32

7.144

2540

1340

0.010

1604

3/8

9.525

7/8

22.225

9/32

7.144

2540

1340

0.015

1605

5/16

7.938

29/32

23.019

5/16

7.938

2540

1340

0.012

1606

3/8

9.525

29/32

23.019

5/16

7.938

2540

1340

0.014

1607

7/16

11.112

29/32

23.019

5/16

7.938

3550

1930

0.016

1614

3/8

9.525

1-1/8

28.575

3/8

9.525

3920

2240

0.035

1615

7/16

11.112

1-1/8

28.575

3/8

9.525

3920

2240

0.032

1616

1/2

12.700

1-1/8

28.575

3/8

9.525

3920

2240

0.030

1620

7/16

11.112

1-3/8

34.925

7/16

11.112

5880

3470

0.050

1621

1/2

12.700

1-3/8

34.925

7/16

11.112

5880

3470

0.048

1622

9/16

14.288

1-3/8

34.925

7/16

11.112

5880

3470

0.046

1623

5/8

15.875

1-3/8

34.925

7/16

11.112

5880

3470

0.040

1628

5/8

15.875

1-5/8

41.275

1/2

12.700

7230

4440

0.072

1630

3/4

19.050

1-5/8

41.275

1/2

12.700

7230

4440

0.065

1633

5/8

15.875

1-3/4

44.450

1/2

12.700

7230

4440

0.090

1635

3/4

19.050

1-3/4

44.450

1/2

12.700

7230

4440

0.085

1638

3/4

19.050

50.800

9/16

14.288

10780

6940

0.120

1640

7/8

22.225

50.800

9/16

14.288

10780

6940

0.110

1641

25.400

50.800

9/16

14.288

10780

6940

0.100

1652

1-1/8

28.575

2-1/2

63.500

5/8

15.875

12800

8400

0.210

1654

1-1/4

31.750

2-1/2

63.500

5/8

15.875

12800

8400

0.190

1657

1-1/4

31.750

2-9/16

65.088

11/16

17.462

14970

10000

0.220

1658

1-5/16

33.338

2-9/16

65.088

11/16

17.462

14970

10000

0.200

6000, 6200,16000 Series

Bore d

Outer Diameter D

Width W

Basic Load Rating

Weight

Bearing Number
mm

in.

mm

in.

mm

in.

Dynamic Cr (N)

Static Cor (N)

lbs.

607

0.2756

19

0.7480

0.2632

2240

910

0.017

608

0.3149

22

0.8661

0.2756

3350

1400

0.026

6000

10

0.3937

26

1.0236

0.3150

3510

1950

0.042

6001

12

0.4724

28

1.1024

0.3150

3930

2230

0.046

6002

15

0.5906

32

1.2598

3.5430

4300

2510

0.057

6003

17

0.6690

35

1.3780

10

0.3937

5230

3040

0.079

6004

20

0.7874

42

1.6535

12

0.4724

7210

4460

0.152

6005

25

0.9843

47

1.8504

12

0.4724

7740

4960

0.165

16005

25

0.9843

47

1.8564

0.3150

8800

5600

0.130

6006

30

1.1811

55

2.1654

13

0.5118

10200

6910

0.198

16006

30

1.1811

55

2.1654

0.3543

11200

7400

0.185

6007

35

1.3780

62

2.4409

14

0.5112

12300

8530

0.352

16007

35

1.3780

62

2.4409

0.3543

12200

8800

6008

40

1.5748

68

2.6772

15

0.5906

12900

9300

0.447

16008

40

1.5748

68

2.6772

0.3543

12500

9600

0.275

6009

45

1.7717

75

2.9528

16

0.6299

15300

11300

0.528

16009

45

1.7717

75

2.9528

10

0.3937

15600

12200

0.341

6010

50

1.9685

80

3.1493

16

0.6299

16000

12000

0.617

16010

50

1.9685

80

3.1496

10

0.3937

16200

13200

0.367

6011

55

2.1654

90

3.5433

18

0.7087

21700

17000

0.837

16011

55

2.1654

90

3.5433

11

0.4331

19400

16200

0.456

6012

60

2.3622

95

3.7402

18

0.7087

23600

18200

0.903

16012

60

2.3622

95

3.7402

11

0.4331

19900

17500

0.493

6013

65

2.5591

100

3.9370

18

0.7087

24700

19700

0.947

16013

65

2.5591

100

3.9370

11

0.4331

20500

18600

0.531

6014

70

2.7559

110

4.3307

20

0.7874

29400

24200

1.321

6015

75

3.9528

115

4.5276

20

0.7874

39500

33500

1.429

6200

10

0.3937

30

1.1811

0.3543

4600

2620

0.066

6201

12

0.4724

32

1.2598

10

0.3937

4700

2660

0.081

6201-1/2

12.7

0.5000

32

1.2598

10

0.3937

4700

2660

0.081

6201-13

13

0.5118

32

1.2598

10

0.3937

4700

2660

0.081

6202

15

0.5906

35

1.3780

11

0.4331

5860

3490

0.101

6202-1/2

12.7

0.5000

35

1.3780

11

0.4331

5860

3480

0.101

6202-5/8

15.875

0.6250

35

1.3780

11

0.4331

5860

3480

0.090

6202-16

16

0.6299

35

1.3780

11

0.4331

5860

3480

0.090

6203

17

0.6693

40

1.5748

12

0.4724

7390

4390

0.143

0.236

6203-3/8

9.525

0.3750

40

1.5748

12

0.4724

7350

4410

0.163

6203-1/2

12.7

0.5000

40

1.5748

12

0.4724

7350

4410

0.153

6203-15

15

0.5906

40

1.5748

12

0.4724

7350

4410

0.148

6203-5/8

15.875

0.6250

40

1.5748

12

0.4724

7350

4410

0.140

6203-16

16

0.6299

40

1.5748

12

0.4724

7350

4410

0.150

6203-3/4

19.05

0.7500

40

1.5748

12

0.4724

7350

4410

0.130

6204

20

0.7874

47

1.8504

14

0.5112

9820

6200

0.236

6204-3/4

19.05

0.7500

47

1.8504

14

0.5112

9800

6180

0.246

6204-7/8

22.225

0.8750

47

1.8504

14

0.5112

9800

6180

0.230

6205

25

0.9843

52

2.0472

15

0.5906

10800

6980

0.295

6205-1/1

25.4

1.0000

52

2.0472

15

0.5906

10800

6960

0.295

6206

30

1.1811

62

2.4409

16

0.6299

15000

10000

0.445

6207

35

1.3780

72

2.8346

17

0.6693

19700

13700

0.634

6208

40

1.5748

80

3.1496

18

0.0787

25100

17900

0.815

6209

45

1.7717

85

3.3465

19

0.7480

25800

18500

0.898

6210

50

1.9385

90

3.5433

20

0.7848

27000

19800

1.006

6211

55

2.1654

100

3.9370

21

0.8268

33300

21100

1.326

6212

60

2.3622

110

4.3307

22

0.8661

40300

31100

1.762

6213

65

2.5591

120

4.7244

23

0.9055

44000

34200

2.180

6214

70

2.7559

125

4.9213

24

0.9449

47800

37500

2.268

6215

75

2.9528

130

5.1881

25

0.9842

66000

49500

2.620

6300, 6400 series

Bore d

Outer Diameter D

Width W

Basic Load Rating

Weight

Bearing Number
mm

in.

mm

in.

mm

in.

Dynamic Cr (N)

Static Cor (N)

lbs.

6300

10

0.3937

35

1.3780

11

0.4331

6230

3770

0.108

6301

12

0.4724

37

1.4567

12

0.4724

7470

4650

0.130

6302

15

0.5906

42

1.6535

13

0.5118

8730

5430

0.181

6303

17

0.6693

47

1.8504

14

0.5512

10700

6700

0.247

6304

20

0.7874

52

2.0472

15

0.5906

12300

7810

0.428

6305

25

0.9843

62

2.4409

17

0.6693

17200

11400

0.504

6306

30

1.1811

72

2.8346

19

0.7480

21700

14900

0.766

6307

35

1.3780

80

3.1496

21

0.8268

25700

17900

0.958

6308

40

1.5748

90

3.5433

23

0.9055

31300

22400

1.400

6309

45

1.7717

100

3.9370

25

0.9843

37100

26300

1.817

6310

50

1.9685

110

4.3307

27

1.0630

47500

35700

2.378

6311

55

2.1654

120

4.7244

29

1.1417

55000

41900

2.995

6312

60

2.3622

130

5.1181

31

1.2205

62900

48600

3.809

6313

65

2.5591

140

5.5118

33

1.2992

71300

55800

4.558

6314

70

2.7559

150

5.9055

35

1.3780

80100

63500

5.659

6315

75

2.9528

160

6.2992

37

1.4567

113000

77000

6.652

6316

70

2.7559

170

6.6929

39

1.5354

123000

86500

7.907

6317

85

3.3465

180

7.0866

41

1.6142

133000

97000

9.317

6318

90

3.5433

190

7.4803

43

1.6929

143000

107000

10.815

6320

100

3.9370

215

8.4646

47

1.8504

173000

141000

15.419

6322

110

4.3307

240

9.4488

50

1.9685

205000

179000

21.013

6403

17

0.6693

62

2.4409

17

0.6693

17500

11900

0.500

6404

20

0.7874

72

2.8346

19

0.7480

28500

13900

0.900

6405

25

0.9843

80

3.1496

21

0.8268

34500

17500

1.190

6406

30

1.1811

90

3.5433

23

0.9055

36400

26800

1.590

6407

35

1.3780

100

3.9370

25

0.9843

42700

31400

2.060

6408

40

1.5748

110

4.3307

27

1.0630

49300

36500

2.690

6409

45

2.7717

120

4.7244

29

1.1417

59200

45600

3.410

6410

50

1.9685

130

5.1181

31

1.2205

71000

55500

4.200

6411

55

2.1654

140

5.5118

33

1.2992

77100

62700

5.130

6412

60

2.3622

150

5.9055

35

1.3780

83900

70300

6.220

6800, 6900 (61800, 61900) series

Bore

Outer Diameter D

Width

Basic Load Rating

Weight

Bearing Number
mm

in.

mm

in.

mm

in.

Dynamic Cr (N)

Static Cor (N)

kg

61801

12

0.4724

21

0.8268

0.1968

1143

725

0.013

61802

15

0.5906

24

0.9449

0.1968

1245

976

0.015

61803

17

0.6693

26

1.0236

0.1968

1347

939

0.015

61804

20

0.7874

32

1.2598

0.2756

2082

1429

0.020

61805

25

0.9843

37

1.4567

0.2756

2327

1735

0.022

61806

30

1.1811

42

1.6535

0.2756

2326

1837

0.026

61807

35

1.3780

47

1.8504

0.2756

2408

2041

0.030

61808

40

1.5748

52

2.0472

0.2756

2501

2245

0.034

61809

45

1.7717

58

2.2835

0.2756

6510

5600

0.040

61810

50

1.9685

65

2.5591

0.2756

6600

6100

0.057

61811

55

2.1654

72

2.8346

0.3543

9060

8450

0.083

61812

60

2.3622

78

3.0709

10

0.3937

9120

8750

0.106

61813

65

2.5591

85

3.3465

10

0.3937

11900

11500

0.130

61814

70

2.7559

90

3.5433

10

0.3937

12100

11900

0.140

61815

75

2.9528

95

3.7402

10

0.3937

12500

12900

0.150

61816

80

3.1496

100

3.9370

10

0.3937

12700

13300

0.160

61817

85

3.3465

110

4.3307

13

0.5118

18700

19000

0.245

61818

90

3.5433

115

4.5276

13

0.5118

19500

20500

0.258

61901

12

0.4724

24

0.9449

0.2362

2653

1398

0.011

61902

15

0.5906

28

1.1024

0.2756

3163

1855

0.017

61903

17

0.6693

30

1.1811

0.2756

3398

1949

0.018

61904

20

0.7874

37

1.4567

0.3543

5153

3153

0.036

61905

25

0.9873

42

1.6535

0.3543

5755

3755

0.049

61906

30

1.1811

47

1.8504

0.3543

5949

4051

0.051

61907

35

1.3780

55

2.1654

10

0.3937

7512

5408

0.080

61908

40

1.5748

62

2.4409

12

0.4724

8561

7051

0.120

61909

45

1.7717

68

2.6772

12

0.4724

14130

10860

0.128

61910

50

1.9685

72

2.8346

12

0.4724

14490

11730

0.140

61911

55

2.1654

80

3.1496

13

0.5118

15900

13200

0.180

61912

60

2.3622

85

3.3465

13

0.5118

16400

14230

0.193

61913

65

2.5591

90

3.5433

13

0.5118

17400

16000

0.206

61914

70

2.7559

100

3.9370

16

0.6299

23560

21500

0.334

61915

75

2.9528

105

4.1339

16

0.6299

24330

22540

0.353

61916

80

3.1496

110

4.3307

16

0.6299

24900

23900

0.440

61917

85

3.3465

120

4.7244

18

0.7087

31900

29700

0.536

61918

90

3.5433

125

4.9213

18

0.7087

32800

31500

0.554

ball bearings
Because the best ball bearings in the early 20th century were made by
German manufacturers, ball bearings have usually been sized in
millimeters, even those made in the United Statesbut the balls
themselves were frequently sized in inches. The Anti-Friction Bearing
Manufacturers Assn. adopted a classification of ball bearings according
to their construction, with each type identified by a symbol (such as
"BA"). Symbols that include the letter "I" identify types that are
nominally sized in inches; of ten types, only two have an "I."
Embedded in the manufacturer's model number for most ball
bearings is a three-digit code that gives its dimensions in millimeters.
The first digit refers to the series. There are four principal series:

100, extra light

200, light

300, medium

400, heavy

The table below shows the sizes up through a bore of 50 mm, but
much bigger sizes are defined. In the medium series, for example, a
356 bearing takes a shaft with a diameter of 280 mmmore than eleven
inches.

Designation Bore

Series 100 Series 200

(x = 1)
(x = 2)

Series 300
(x = 3)

Series 400
(x = 4)

OD Width OD Width

OD

Width

OD

Width

x00

10

26

30

35

11

x01

12

28

32

10

37

12

x02

15

32

35

11

42

13

x03

17

35

10

40

12

47

14

62

17

x04

20

42

12

47

14

52

15

72

19

x05

25

47

12

52

15

62

17

80

21

x06

30

55

13

62

16

72

19

90

23

x07

35

62

14

72

17

80

21

100

25

x08

40

68

15

80

18

90

23

110

27

x09

45

75

16

85

19

100

25

120

29

x10

50

80

16

90

20

110

27

130

31

Deep Groove Ball Bearings

MTK+ Deep groove ball bearings are manufactured in a varied range, both of standard design and various
constructive versions.

Deep groove ball bearings can take double direction radial and axial loads and also allow good operation at
high speeds.
For these reasons, they can be widely used. Therefor, single row deep_groove_ball_bearings are
manufactured in many constructive versions as shown below.

- Deep Groove Ball Bearing Technical tables

- Stainless Steel Ball Bearing Technical tables
- Snap Ring Groove Table and Dimensions 1
- Snap Ring Groove Table and Dimensions 2

Besides deep_groove_ball_bearings of basic design, bearings with UG design, with grooves on the outer ring
and WL design, with grooves on both rings are also used for the purpose of mounting seals or shields on
bearings, 2ZR, 2RSR or 2RS type, as shown in the bellow figure.

Sealed and shielded deep groove ball bearings

MTK+ manufactures two versions of sealed and shielded bearings, namely:
-bearings RS and Z type, with recess on the inner ring for sealing or shielding;
-bearings RSR and ZR type, when shielding and sealing respectively are done directly on the outside surface
of the inner ring;

In case of bearings with non-rubbing shields, there is a small interstice between the shield and the rib of the
inner ring; in case of bearings with seals, the gasoline and oil resistant elastic rubber lip rubs on the groove
on the inner ring side or directly on the outside surface.
Bearings sealed and shielded on both sides manufactured in series are delivered filled with lithium base
grease and are used at temperatures between -30?C and + 110?C, in accordance with the specifications in
chapter 5. Bearings can also be greased with special greases, relubrication not being necessary. Washing or
heating are not allowed before bearing mounting in the assembly.
Bearings with shields have been designed first of all for cases when the inner ring rotates.
When the outer ring rotates, the lubricant can flow out of the bearing at a certain speed. In such cases, we
recommend you to consult our experts.

Deep groove ball bearings with snap ring groove

Deep groove ball bearings, with snap ring groove on the outer ring can be located in the housing with snap
rings.
Because of their simple and space saving mounting, these bearings simplify the assembly design. The
groove for the snap ring and the snap rings are in accordance with ISO 464 and tables 7 and 8 respectively.

Paired deep groove ball bearings

If the basic load of a single bearing is inadequate or the shaft has to be axially located in both directions
with a certain clearance, paired deep groove ball bearings are recommended to be used.

These bearings can be delivered matched in pairs in three versions, as follows: DT (tandem arrangement),
DB (back-to-back arrangement) or DF (face-to-face arrangement). They can be delivered with axial
clearance or preloaded. The values of clearance or preload are given in table 2.
The producer marks "V" on the bearing outside surface as shown in the next figure, so that paired bearings
to be correctly mounted.

The speed limit of these bearings can be calculated multiplying the speed of the basic bearing by 0,8.
Paired bearings are packed and delivered in the same box.

Stainless steel deep groove ball bearings

Deep groove ball bearings can be made and constructive version of stainless steel.

Dimensions

The overall dimensions of deep groove ball bearings are in accordance with the stipulations of ISO 15.

Misalignments
Deep groove ball bearings have limited abilities to compensate for bearing errors of alignment. The
permissible misalignment between the outer ring and the inner ring, which will not produce inadmissible
high additional loads in the bearing, depends on the bearing size, operational radial clearance, inner bearing
design and also on the magnitude of loads and moments acting upon the bearing.
Because of the complex relationship of these influence factors, definite and universally valid values of
permissible misalignment cannot be determined.
Considering the above mentioned factors, under normal operation conditions the permissible misalignments
are between 2 and 10 minutes of arc, depending on the bearing series and load.
It should be considered that misalignments of bearing rings in operation produce a considerably higher
noise.

Tolerances
Deep groove ball bearings are generally manufactured to the normal tolerance class P0.
At request, they can also be manufactured to the tolerance classes P6, P5 or P4.
The values of tolerances are given in chapter 3 on page 24.

Radial and axial clearance

Deep groove ball bearings are generally manufactured with normal radial clearance. At request, they can
also be manufactured with radial clearance different from the normal one, according to ISO 5753. The
values of radial clearance are given in table 1.
Paired bearings can be manufactured with axial clearance (suffix A) or preloaded (suffix L). Values for axial
clearance and preload are given in table 2.
If a certain axial clearance is prescribed, this has to be measured and marked on the bearing by "A",
followed by clearance actual value.

Cages
Deep groove ball bearings are generally fitted with cages of pressed steel sheet.

Cages of glass fibre reinforced polyamide 6.6 are also suitable if the operating temperature doesn't exceed
+ 120 0C. They have reduced weight, low coefficient of friction and are noiseless in operation. Large-sized
bearings are fitted with machined brass cages.
Cage design and some technical data are given in table 3.

Bearing minimum radial load

A minimum load must be applied on a deep groove ball bearing so that they can operate correctly, especially
in case of operating under heavy loads.
The forces of inertia which occur in bearing as well as the friction in lubricant influence negatively the
operating conditions and can cause detrimental sliding movements between balls and raceways.
Minimum radial load depends on the bearing size, speed and lubricant viscosity at operating temperature. It
can be roughly calculated from the equation:

Frmin= 0,01 Cr,

(Cr = basic dynamic radial load).

Equivalent dynamic radial load

Deep groove ball bearings can take also radial and axial combined loads.
For deep groove ball bearings, single or paired in tandem arrangement DT, equivalent dynamic radial load
can be calculated using the equation:
Pr = Fr,kN,

when Fa/Fr <= e

Pr = XFr + YFa, kN, when Fa/Fr > e

The greater the axial load, the greater the contact angle of these bearings.

Factors e, Xand Ydepend on the ratio f0Fa/C0r- Factor fo can be determined using the diagram in the bellow
figure, as a function of dimension series and mean diameter (d+ D)/2. Fa is the axial load and
Coristhestaticbasicloadofthe bearing.
The values of factors e, X, Y which depend on the bearing clearance can be determined from table 4,
corresponding to the values of the ratio f0Fa/C0r- The values in table 4 apply to bearings mounted with
normal fit, i.e. shafts manufactured to tolerance class j5 or k5 and housing in J6, respectively.

For bearings matched in DB or DT arrangement, equivalent dynamic radial load can be calculated using the
equation:
Pr = Fr + Y1Fa , kN,

when Fa/Fr <= e

Pr = 0,75Fr + Y2Fa, kN,

when Fa/Fr > e

The values of factors e, Yi and Y2, as functions of ratio Fa/C0r are given in table 5.

Equivalent static radial load

For deep groove ball bearings, single or matched in tandem (DT), equivalent static radial load can be
calculated using the equations:
P0 = Fr,kN,

when Fa/Fr <= 0,8

P0 = 0,6Fr + 0,5Fa, kN, when Fa/Fr > 0,8

For bearings matched in DB or DF arrangement, it can be calculated from:
P0 = Fr + 1,7Fa, kN

Axial load
If deep groove ball bearings are purely axial loaded, the axial load should not exceed 0,5 Cor- In case of
small-sized bearings and bearings of light series (diameter series 8, 9, 0 and 1), the axial load should not
exceed 0,25 C0r.
Heavy axial loads cause a significant decrease of bearing rating life. In such cases, we recommend you to
consult our experts.

Abutment dimensions
For a proper location of bearing rings on the shaft shoulder and housing shoulder, respectively, maximum
shaft (housing) connection radius ru max should be less than minimum bearing mounting chamfer rs min.
The shoulder should have the proper height corresponding to maximum bearing mounting chamfer.
The values of the connection radius (ru) and support shoulder height (hu) as functions of mounting chamfers
are given in table 6.

Internal Clearance
Internal clearance is the play within a ball bearing. It is the geometrical
clearance between the inner ring, outer ring and ball. It is a critical factor in
bearing selection that will directly impact bearing life. It is often overlooked,
particularly as to how it is reduced by interference fits.
Radial clearance is the play between the ball and raceway perpendicular to
the bearing axis. Axial clearance is the play parallel to the bearing axis and is
typically at least 10 times greater than the radial clearance. Generally, internal
radial clearance will be reduced 80% of the interference fit amount.
Too little or too much internal clearance will significantly influence factors such
as heat, vibration, noise, and fatigue life.
In extreme applications that see high or low temperatures this clearance
needs to be considered in the overall design to compensate for thermal
expansion and contraction of housings and shafts.
Selecting Bearing Clearance (General guidelines)
Operating Condition

Clearance

Clearance fit on both inner and outer ring. Low to no axial loading. No preload. Low speeds. Little
tolerance for play. Low temperature.

C2

Low torque. Standard loads. Light preload. Slight interference fit on inner or outer ring, not both. Low to
medium speeds. Average temperature.

CN

Very low torque. High loads. Heavy interference fits. High temperature. Preloaded.

C3,C4,C5

Deep Groove Ball Bearing Radial Internal Clearance (Units: m)

Nominal Bore Diameter
(mm)

Clearance

over

incl

min

10

18

18

24

24
30

C2

CN
(NORMAL)

C3

C4

C5

max

min

max

min

max

min

max

min

max

18

11

25

18

33

25

45

10

20

13

28

20

36

28

48

30

11

20

13

28

23

41

30

53

40

11

20

15

33

28

46

40

64

40

50

11

23

18

36

30

51

45

73

50

65

15

28

23

43

38

61

55

90

65

80

15

10

30

25

51

46

71

65

105

80

100

18

12

36

30

58

53

84

75

120

100

120

20

15

41

36

66

61

97

90

140

120

140

23

18

48

41

81

71

114

105

160

140

160

23

18

53

46

91

81

130

120

180

160

180

25

20

61

53

102

91

147

135

200

180

200

30

25

71

63

117

107

163

150

230

200

225

35

25

85

75

140

125

195

175

265

225

250

40

30

95

85

160

145

225

205

300

250

280

45

35

105

90

170

155

245

225

340

280

315

55

40

115

100

190

175

270

245

370

315

355

60

45

125

110

210

195

300

275

410

355

400

70

55

145

130

240

225

340

315

460

400

450

80

60

170

150

270

250

380

350

510

450

500

90

70

190

170

300

280

420

390

570

500

560

10

100

80

210

190

330

310

470

440

630

560

630

10

110

90

230

210

360

340

520

490

690

630

710

20

130

110

260

240

400

380

570

540

760

710

800

20

140

120

290

270

450

430

630

600

840

Radial clearance explained

Virtually all rolling element bearings are designed with a specific internal clearance. The internal clearance is
defined as the total clearance between the rings and the rolling elements. This clearance provides:

Free rotation of rolling element

Compensation for thermal expansion
Optimum load distribution

Selecting the correct internal clearance is important because bearings hold the rotating parts of a mechanism in
proper position across the entire performance envelope of the application. The amount of internal clearance can
influence:

Noise
Vibration
Heat build-up
Fatigue life

Vibration, interface fits and temperature will also have some affect on internal clearance. To obtain the optimal
internal clearance for a specific application, these parameters must be taken into consideration. In certain
applications, the correct choice of clearance for the bearings is critical. Internal clearance can be separated into
two categories:

Radial
Axial

The total internal clearance is the amount that one ring can be displaced relative to the other ring, either radially
or axially. The radial clearance is the total clearance between the raceway and the rolling elements - measured
normal to the bearing axis. The clearance changes with the expansion or contraction of the bearing rings. The axial
clearance is the total amount that one ring can be displaced relative to the other in an axial direction.
In ball bearings, as the radial clearance increases, the axial clearance increases as well. The more room between
the balls and the rings (radial clearance), the more the elements can shift in relation to each other. Generally,
internal clearances are designated from C1 (the tightest) through to C5 (the loosest or largest). The 'normal'
clearance is CN, a range sitting between C2 and C3. It is worth noting that if the bearing clearance is not stated in
the bearing reference it can be assumed to be normal clearance. With a higher clearance there is more tolerance
of thermal expansion effects on the rings and rolling elements. When noise and vibration must be restricted, lower

clearances are necessary. Ultimately the specific application and operating conditions determine the appropriate
internal clearance. For example, paper-drying machines that operate under hot conditions usually need C3 and C4
clearances. The severe vibration in vibrating screens normally means that C3 and C4 clearances are required.
Selection of the correct radial internal clearance group is by calculation and you should refer to your bearing
manufacturers handbook. Factors to be assessed include:

Expansion of the inner ring due to interference fit on shaft

Contraction of the outer ring due to interference fit in the housing
Differential temperature between the inner and outer rings
Differential expansions due to non-ferrous mountings
In addition to the ISO clearances, manufacturers such as NSK also offer specific clearances for electric

motors known as CM clearance. This class includes a tighter noise specification. The CM clearance falls
within the range of the CN clearance. Some motor manufacturers specify CM clearance where closer radial
internal clearance helps reduce noise. C3 clearance, which is frequently used in the aftermarket, is greater
than the CN and CM clearances.