
A spherical roller bearing runs barrel-shaped rollers in a single spherical outer raceway, so the inner ring and rollers can tilt to follow a shaft that is deflecting or misaligned. The line contact of many rollers and the contact angle give it high radial capacity with the ability to take thrust in combination, which is why it is the bearing of steel mills, crushers and other heavy equipment. Two lines are stocked: McGill SPHERE-ROL SB bearings in the 22200 and 22300 series, with seal and expansion options, and Rollway bearings across the 213, 222, 223, 230, 231, 232, 239, 240 and 241 series with brass or steel cages.
Also known as: spherical roller bearing, self-aligning roller bearings, sphere-rol bearings, 22200 series bearings, double row spherical bearings
Series in this category
Related guides: Bearing clearance codes, Bearing selection guide, Bearing lubrication basics, Cross-reference help
| Specification | What it means |
|---|---|
| Series | The dimension series, such as 22200, 22300, 23000, 23100, 23200, 24000 or 24100, which sets the section width and outside diameter for a bore. |
| Bore size | Shaft diameter in millimeters, stocked from 20 mm upward. The bore code in the number is the bore divided by 5. |
| Radial clearance | C2, standard (C0 or CN), C3 or C4 internal clearance before mounting, marked on the inner ring face when not standard. |
| Bore type | Straight, or tapered with a K suffix at 1 in 12, or K30 at 1 in 30, for adapter or tapered shaft mounting. |
| Seal type | Unsealed, single or double seal, or a high-temperature seal, with the suffix letters naming the seal design and which side it is fitted. |
| Cage material | Steel land-riding cage on SPHERE-ROL and sealed Rollway bearings, one-piece brass GMEX or CA cage on open Rollway bearings. |
| Angular misalignment | The tilt between shaft and housing the bearing is rated for, from 1 to 3 degrees depending on series and sealing. |
| W33 | An annular lubrication groove with holes through the outer ring so grease can be fed to the rollers in service. |
C3 is an internal radial clearance greater than standard. Clearance is set before mounting, and both makers publish the range for each bore: C2 is less than standard, C3 and C4 are progressively looser. A C3 bearing is the common choice where an interference fit on the shaft or a hot-running inner ring would otherwise use up the standard clearance.
Both are 50 mm bore bearings, but the 22300 series has a larger outside diameter and width than the 22200 series and therefore a higher load rating. SPHERE-ROL lists the 22200 series from 20 to 150 mm and the 22300 series from 40 to 100 mm; Rollway carries both plus the wider 230, 231, 232, 240 and 241 series.
A straight bore suits a stepped shaft with a shoulder to press against. A tapered bore with a K suffix mounts on an adapter sleeve on a plain shaft, or on a tapered shaft seat, and is driven up to reduce the clearance by a published amount, which is why tapered-bore bearings are supplied with slightly looser clearance ranges than straight-bore ones.
No. It carries thrust only in combination with a radial load, and the SPHERE-ROL guidance is an axial to radial ratio below 0.20. Single-row spherical bearings should not see thrust above 20 percent of the radial load. Where thrust is the main load, a spherical roller thrust bearing or a tapered roller bearing is the right choice.
An expansion-type bearing with increased internal end play, made to float axially inside the bearing to compensate for linear shaft growth. It is for the expansion position on a shaft only and must not be used in the fixed position, and it carries a 10 percent reduction in basic dynamic rating.