Spherical roller bearings are available in a wide range of configurations, identified by suffixes that indicate specific design features. Understanding these suffixes is critical for selecting the right bearing for your application—whether you’re working with 222, 223, 230, 231, 232, 239, 240, 241, 248, or 249 series bearings.
Cage Design Suffixes
| Suffix | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CC | Two-piece machined brass cage with optimized roller guidance | High load capacity, general industrial applications |
| CA | One-piece machined brass cage, higher rigidity | Heavy loads, shock loads, vibrating screens |
| MB | One-piece machined brass cage with reinforced design | Extreme loads, high-temperature environments |
| E | Reinforced cage with larger rollers for increased load capacity | High radial loads, compact designs |
Lubrication & Clearance Suffixes
| Suffix | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| W33 | Lubrication groove and 3 lubrication holes in outer ring | Applications requiring regular greasing or oil lubrication |
| W33X | Lubrication groove with 6 lubrication holes | High-speed applications, improved lubrication flow |
| C2 | Smaller-than-normal radial clearance | Low-temperature, low-load applications |
| C3 | Greater-than-normal radial clearance | Standard for most industrial applications |
| C4 | Even greater radial clearance | High-temperature, high-vibration (vibrating screens, crushers) |
| C5 | Maximum radial clearance | Extreme temperatures, large temperature differentials |
Bore & Mounting Suffixes
| Suffix | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| K | Tapered bore (1:12 taper) for mounting on adapter sleeves | Easy mounting/dismounting on tapered shafts |
| K30 | Tapered bore (1:30 taper) for mounting on withdrawal sleeves | Larger bearings with heavy loads |
| Split | Split inner ring/outer ring design for easy installation | Confined spaces, difficult access, maintenance-intensive applications |
Common Suffix Combinations
Many spherical roller bearings combine multiple suffixes. Here are the most common combinations:
- CA/W33 – One-piece brass cage + lubrication groove (standard for vibrating screens)
- CC/W33 – Two-piece brass cage + lubrication groove (general-purpose heavy duty)
- MB/W33 – Reinforced cage + lubrication groove (extreme loads)
- K/C3/W33 – Tapered bore + C3 clearance + lubrication groove
- K/C4/W33 – Tapered bore + C4 clearance + lubrication groove (vibrating screen applications)
Series & Suffix Compatibility
| Series | Common Suffixes | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 222 | CC, W33, K, C3 | General industrial, gearboxes, conveyors |
| 223 | CC, CA, MB, W33, K, C4 | Vibrating screens, crushers, mining conveyors |
| 230 | CC, W33, K, C3 | Paper mills, gearboxes, general industry |
| 231 | CC, CA, W33, K, C4 | Heavy-duty industrial, wind turbines |
| 232 | CC, CA, W33, K, C4 | Crushers, mills, extreme loads |
| 239 | CC, W33, K | Large bore, heavy loads |
| 240 | CC, W33, K | Kilns, mills, crushers |
| 241 | CC, W33, K, C4 | Extreme loads, large equipment |
| 248 | CC, W33, K | Heavy-duty large bore applications |
| 249 | CC, W33, K | Heavy-duty large bore applications |
How to Choose the Right Suffix
- Identify your operating conditions: Temperature, speed, load type, and contamination levels determine clearance (C2-C5) and cage (CC/CA/MB) requirements.
- Consider mounting: Tapered bore (K) is preferred for easy mounting on adapter sleeves, especially in field replacements.
- Evaluate lubrication needs: W33 is recommended for most applications to ensure consistent lubricant supply.
- Check space constraints: Split variants allow installation in confined spaces where conventional bearings cannot be mounted.