SKF 6203 TN9/C3 17x40x12 Deep Groove Ball Bearing

SKF 6203 TN9/C3 is an open, single-row deep groove ball bearing measuring 17x40x12 mm. Its bore diameter d is 17 mm, outside diameter D is 40 mm and width B is 12 mm. The defining features of this specific SKF 6203 variant are the TN9 polyamide cage, open construction and C3 radial internal clearance greater than Normal.

SKF 6203 TN9/C3 - Product Characteristics

SKF 6203 TN9/C3 belongs to the 62 series of single-row deep groove ball bearings. Unlike sealed or shielded 6203 variants, this bearing has an open design without seals or shields. The TN9 suffix identifies its non-metallic polyamide cage, while C3 specifies increased radial internal clearance.

Verified product data:

Manufacturer / Brand: SKF
Designation: 6203 TN9/C3
Bearing Type: Single-row deep groove ball bearing
Dimensions: 17x40x12 mm
d - Bore Diameter: 17 mm
D - Outside Diameter: 40 mm
B - Width: 12 mm
Number of Rows: 1
Bore: Cylindrical
Design: Open
Seals / Shields: None
Cage: TN9, polyamide / non-metallic
Radial Internal Clearance: C3
Basic Dynamic Load Rating C: 9.95 kN
Basic Static Load Rating C0: 4.75 kN
Fatigue Load Limit Pu: 0.20 kN
Reference Speed: 38,000 r/min
Limiting Speed: 24,000 r/min
Mass: approximately 0.065 kg.

Dimensions

The principal dimensions of SKF 6203 TN9/C3 are:

d - Bore Diameter: 17 mm
D - Outside Diameter: 40 mm
B - Bearing Width: 12 mm
Commercial Size: 17x40x12 mm

For this bearing, the dimensional notation 17x40x12 mm corresponds to d x D x B.

Additional catalogue dimensions include:

d1: approximately 24.5 mm
D2: approximately 34.98 mm
r1,2 min.: 0.6 mm
da min.: 21.2 mm
Da max.: 35.8 mm
ra max.: 0.6 mm.

Bearing Construction

SKF 6203 TN9/C3 is a single-row deep groove ball bearing with a non-separable construction.

The balls run between deep raceway grooves in the inner and outer rings. This geometry enables the bearing to accommodate primarily radial loads, while also supporting axial loads in both directions.

The exact 6203 TN9/C3 configuration is an open bearing, meaning that it does not have integral seals or shields on either side.

This is an important distinction from variants such as SKF 6203-2RSH/C3 or 6203-2Z/C3.

TN9 Polyamide Cage

The TN9 suffix is a defining technical feature of this bearing.

SKF designation information identifies TN9 as an injection-moulded glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide 66 cage, rolling-element centred. The exact 6203 TN9/C3 product is consistently specified with a polyamide or non-metallic cage in current technical catalogues.

Therefore, SKF 6203 TN9/C3 should not be described simply as a standard 6203 C3 with a conventional steel cage.

The TN9 suffix must remain part of the product designation when identifying or selecting this bearing.

C3 Radial Internal Clearance

The suffix C3 means that the bearing has radial internal clearance greater than Normal. This is explicitly confirmed for SKF 6203 TN9/C3.

C3 is a functional bearing specification rather than a quality grade.

Increased initial clearance may be required where interference fits, temperature differences between the bearing rings or other operating conditions reduce the effective internal clearance after installation.

Therefore:

SKF 6203 TN9/C3 ≠ SKF 6203 TN9 with Normal clearance

The required clearance class should always be checked against the bearing arrangement and operating conditions.

Load Ratings and Operating Principle

Verified catalogue values for SKF 6203 TN9/C3 are:

C - Basic Dynamic Load Rating: 9.95 kN
C0 - Basic Static Load Rating: 4.75 kN
Pu - Fatigue Load Limit: 0.20 kN.

The deep groove raceway geometry allows the bearing to accommodate radial loading together with axial loads acting in both directions.

The C, C0 and Pu values are engineering parameters used for bearing selection and life calculations. They should not be interpreted as simple universal maximum permissible loads for every installation.

Reference and Limiting Speeds

For SKF 6203 TN9/C3, the verified speed data are:

Reference Speed: 38,000 r/min
Limiting Speed: 24,000 r/min.

These are different catalogue parameters and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Actual permissible operating speed depends on the bearing arrangement, load, lubrication, fits, operating temperature and heat dissipation conditions.

Meaning of 6203 TN9/C3

The designation identifies a specific bearing configuration:

6 - deep groove ball bearing

62 - dimensional series

03 - bore code corresponding to 17 mm

TN9 - injection-moulded glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide 66 cage, rolling-element centred

C3 - radial internal clearance greater than Normal.

For technical identification and product indexing, the complete designation should therefore remain:

SKF 6203 TN9/C3

The TN9 and C3 suffixes should not be omitted.

SKF 6203 TN9/C3 vs SKF 6203 C3

Both variants have the same principal dimensions:

d = 17 mm
D = 40 mm
B = 12 mm

Both may also have C3 radial internal clearance.

However, TN9 specifically identifies the cage configuration. A standard SKF 6203 C3 without the TN9 suffix should therefore not automatically be treated as the identical product.

This distinction is important both for engineering selection and for separating the two variants in an industrial product catalogue.

SKF 6203 TN9/C3 vs 6203-2RSH/C3

These are different configurations.

6203 TN9/C3: open bearing, TN9 polyamide cage, C3 clearance

6203-2RSH/C3: sealed bearing, C3 clearance

Although both use the same 17x40x12 mm envelope dimensions, the closure and cage specifications must be considered when determining interchangeability.

Selection and Interchangeability

When selecting a replacement for SKF 6203 TN9/C3, compare the complete technical specification rather than dimensions alone:

• single-row deep groove ball bearing design,
• d = 17 mm,
• D = 40 mm,
• B = 12 mm,
• open construction,
• TN9 polyamide cage,
• C3 radial internal clearance,
• dynamic and static load ratings,
• required operating speed,
• lubrication conditions,
• shaft and housing fits,
• operating temperature and environment.

A bearing marked only 6203 C3 17x40x12 should not automatically be considered identical to SKF 6203 TN9/C3, because the TN9 cage is part of the exact product configuration.

Technical Specification

Manufacturer / Brand: SKF
Designation: 6203 TN9/C3
Product Type: Deep groove ball bearing
Construction: Single row
Series: 62
Dimensions: 17x40x12 mm
d - Bore Diameter: 17 mm
D - Outside Diameter: 40 mm
B - Width: 12 mm
Bore Type: Cylindrical
Design: Open
Sealing: None
Cage: TN9, polyamide / non-metallic
Radial Internal Clearance: C3, greater than Normal
Basic Dynamic Load Rating C: 9.95 kN
Basic Static Load Rating C0: 4.75 kN
Fatigue Load Limit Pu: 0.20 kN
Reference Speed: 38,000 r/min
Limiting Speed: 24,000 r/min
Mass: approximately 0.065 kg.

FAQ

What are the dimensions of SKF 6203 TN9/C3?

SKF 6203 TN9/C3 measures 17x40x12 mm: d = 17 mm bore diameter, D = 40 mm outside diameter and B = 12 mm width.

What type of bearing is SKF 6203 TN9/C3?

It is an open single-row deep groove ball bearing with a TN9 polyamide cage and C3 radial internal clearance.

What does TN9 mean in SKF 6203 TN9/C3?

TN9 identifies an injection-moulded glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide 66 cage, rolling-element centred.

What does C3 mean?

C3 means radial internal clearance greater than Normal. It is an integral part of the specification and should be considered when selecting a replacement.

Is SKF 6203 TN9/C3 sealed?

No. SKF 6203 TN9/C3 is an open bearing without integral seals or shields.

What are the load ratings of SKF 6203 TN9/C3?

The basic dynamic load rating C is 9.95 kN, the basic static load rating C0 is 4.75 kN, and the fatigue load limit Pu is 0.20 kN.

What is the limiting speed of SKF 6203 TN9/C3?

The limiting speed is 24,000 r/min, while the reference speed is 38,000 r/min.

Is SKF 6203 C3 the same as SKF 6203 TN9/C3?

Not necessarily. The TN9 suffix specifies the polyamide cage design. A 6203 C3 bearing without TN9 should therefore not automatically be treated as the identical configuration.

AI Overview

SKF 6203 TN9/C3 is an open single-row deep groove ball bearing measuring 17x40x12 mm, with a TN9 polyamide cage and C3 radial internal clearance greater than Normal. Its basic dynamic load rating is 9.95 kN, static rating is 4.75 kN, reference speed is 38,000 r/min and limiting speed is 24,000 r/min.