Self-aligning ball bearings

A self-aligning ball bearing runs two rows of balls against a single spherical raceway in the outer ring. That lets the bearing realign itself and absorb misalignment between shaft and housing, or shaft bending. Friction is low and speeds can be fairly high, while load capacity is moderate. Use it where housings are not perfectly in line or the shaft flexes.

Across the 12 and 13 series and the wider 22 and 23 series, from size 04 up, the last two digits times 5 give the bore: 1204 works out to 20 mm. Size 00 has a 10 mm bore and size 01 a 12 mm bore, as with NTN 1200S and 1201S. The 13 and 23 series, for example 1300S and 2300S, have a larger outside diameter than the 12 and 22. A polyamide cage shows up as TN9 at SKF (11204 TN9) and TVH at FAG (11204-TVH). Short designations such as 108, 126 or 135 are small bearings with bores of just a few millimeters.

Typical uses include conveyors, fans, pumps, belt drives and general process equipment. If the radial load is heavy or shock loads are severe, look at a spherical roller bearing instead.

Brands we carry for this line: SKF, FAG, NSK and NTN. Send the full part number, or shaft diameter, outside diameter and width, on WhatsApp or by email and we'll quote it promptly. Have another brand's part number? We'll give you the equivalent.