SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN 45x85x19 mm Deep Groove Ball Bearing

SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN 45x85x19 mm Deep Groove Ball Bearing

SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN is a single-row deep groove ball bearing with a 45 mm bore, 85 mm outside diameter and 19 mm width. This specific configuration combines contact seals on both sides (2RS1), C3 radial internal clearance greater than Normal and the SKF GJN grease specification. SKF identifies GJN as Mobil Polyrex EM, a polyurea-thickened grease used in capped bearings for electric-motor applications.

SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN - Characteristics

The basic designation 6209 identifies a single-row deep groove ball bearing in the SKF 62 dimension series.

SKF deep groove ball bearings use deep, uninterrupted raceway grooves. This geometry enables the bearing to support predominantly radial loads, while also accommodating axial loads in both directions.

The specific configuration described here is identified by three technically important suffixes:

2RS1 - contact seals on both sides
C3 - radial internal clearance greater than Normal
GJN - SKF grease specification using Mobil Polyrex EM polyurea-thickened grease.

These suffixes are important when selecting a replacement. A standard 6209 with the same boundary dimensions is not necessarily technically equivalent to 6209-2RS1/C3GJN.

SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN Dimensions

SKF specifies the following boundary dimensions for 6209:

d - Bore Diameter: 45 mm
D - Outside Diameter: 85 mm
B - Width: 19 mm

Dimensions: 45x85x19 mm

The SKF product data for 6209-2RS1 also identify it as a metric, single-row bearing with a cylindrical bore.

Unlike housed bearing units or tapered roller bearings, the conventional d x D x B notation is appropriate here: d identifies the bore, D the outside diameter and B the bearing width.

Deep Groove Ball Bearing Design

SKF 6209 belongs to the single-row deep groove ball bearing family.

The construction consists of an inner ring, outer ring, one row of balls and a cage. The deep raceway geometry provides close conformity between the balls and raceways.

For SKF 6209-2RS1, SKF product data confirm:

Number of Rows: 1
Bore Type: cylindrical
Bearing Material: bearing steel
Cage Design: sheet metal
Sealing: both sides
Seal Type: contact
Lubricant: grease.

The bearing is therefore fundamentally different from angular contact, self-aligning, cylindrical roller or tapered roller bearings having the same or similar boundary dimensions.

What Does 2RS1 Mean?

2RS1 identifies SKF contact seals fitted on both sides of the bearing.

This point is particularly important for the 6209 size because generic commercial descriptions frequently shorten the designation to 6209 2RS.

SKF's electric motor bearing documentation specifically distinguishes between the two contact-seal designs used according to bearing size. For the 6200 series:

6200 to 6205: RSH / 2RSH
6206 and larger: RS1 / 2RS1.

Therefore, for SKF 6209, the technically correct SKF seal suffix is 2RS1.

The 2RS1 configuration provides contact sealing on both sides and retains the grease inside the bearing while helping protect the internal rolling contacts from external contamination.

What Does C3 Mean?

C3 is an SKF radial internal clearance class.

SKF defines:

Normal: standard radial internal clearance
C3: radial internal clearance greater than Normal.

C3 should not be interpreted as excessive clearance caused by bearing wear. It is a deliberately manufactured internal-clearance class.

The operating clearance of an installed bearing can differ from its initial clearance because factors such as shaft and housing fits and operating temperature can reduce the available internal clearance.

For this reason, a C3 bearing should be selected when the bearing arrangement requires this clearance class, rather than simply because another 6209 bearing has the same 45x85x19 mm dimensions.

What Does GJN Mean?

GJN identifies a specific SKF grease specification.

SKF documentation states that capped bearings for electric motor applications can be filled with Mobil Polyrex EM, a high-quality polyurea-thickened grease, identified by the SKF suffix GJN.

SKF's bearing designation documentation further describes GJN as a high-temperature, long-life NLGI 2 grease with urea thickener and mineral base oil.

Therefore, GJN is not a dimensional suffix and does not identify the bearing clearance or seal. It identifies an important characteristic of the factory grease fill.

GJN and Electric Motor Bearings

SKF specifically discusses GJN in its technical documentation for electric motor bearings.

For capped bearings, SKF's electric motor specification uses Mobil Polyrex EM grease with the GJN suffix. SKF also notes that electric-motor-specific grease fills such as GJN can be used where grease-life requirements make the standard grease fill unsuitable.

This does not mean that every 6209-2RS1/C3GJN must be used exclusively in an electric motor. Rather, it explains the technical origin and purpose of the GJN grease specification.

Radial and Axial Load Capability

The deep groove raceway geometry makes the 6209 suitable primarily for radial loading, while also enabling it to accommodate axial loads in both directions.

This bidirectional axial capability is one of the fundamental characteristics of single-row deep groove ball bearings.

However, the acceptable relationship between radial and axial loading depends on the actual bearing arrangement and operating conditions. Bearing selection should therefore be based on calculated loads and required service life rather than the bearing dimensions alone.

Sealing and Lubrication

The 2RS1 configuration has contact seals on both sides, and the bearing is supplied with grease.

SKF's 6209-2RS1 product specification explicitly identifies:

Sealing: seal on both sides
Sealing Type: contact
Lubricant: grease.

In the GJN configuration, the grease specification is Mobil Polyrex EM with a polyurea thickener.

This combination makes the complete designation important. Removing GJN from the specification removes information about the lubricant used in this particular bearing variant.

Meaning of SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN

The complete designation can be interpreted as follows:

6209 - single-row deep groove ball bearing, 62 dimension series
2RS1 - contact seals on both sides
C3 - radial internal clearance greater than Normal
GJN - SKF Mobil Polyrex EM grease specification

The technical identification chain is therefore:

SKF → 6209-2RS1/C3GJN → deep groove ball bearing → 45x85x19 mm → two contact seals → C3 clearance → GJN grease

This complete identification is more useful for engineering and maintenance purposes than the shortened commercial description 6209 2RS C3.

6209-2RS1/C3GJN vs 6209-2RS1

The two bearings share the same basic 6209 dimensions, but their complete specifications should not be treated as identical.

A standard 6209-2RS1 does not, by designation alone, specify the C3 internal clearance or GJN grease fill.

The suffixes therefore contain information that can be relevant to operating clearance and lubrication.

When replacing a bearing originally specified as 6209-2RS1/C3GJN, the complete designation should be considered rather than selecting a replacement solely from the dimensions 45x85x19 mm.

6209-2RS1/C3GJN vs 6209-2Z/C3

These are also different configurations.

2RS1 identifies contact seals on both sides.

2Z identifies shields on both sides.

SKF lists both sealed and shielded 6209 variants, including 6209-2RS1 and 6209-2Z/C3.

The closure design affects friction, contamination protection and speed capability. A 2Z version should therefore not automatically replace a 2RS1 version solely because its dimensions and C3 clearance match.

Selection and Interchangeability

When selecting an equivalent for SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN, compare the complete technical specification rather than only the basic bearing number.

Important parameters include:

• Bearing type: single-row deep groove ball bearing
• Dimensions: 45x85x19 mm
• Bore: cylindrical
• Closures: contact seals on both sides
• SKF seal designation: 2RS1
• Internal clearance: C3
• Grease specification: GJN / Mobil Polyrex EM
• Cage: sheet metal
• required load ratings
• required speed capability
• shaft and housing fits
• operating temperature and lubrication requirements

A 6209 2RS C3 bearing from another manufacturer may have the same principal dimensions and nominal clearance class but a different seal design, grease specification, cage or other construction details.

Identical dimensions therefore do not establish complete technical equivalence.

Technical Specification

Manufacturer: SKF
Catalogue Designation: 6209-2RS1/C3GJN
Common Commercial Designation: 6209 2RS C3 GJN
Bearing Type: deep groove ball bearing
Configuration: single row
Measurement System: metric
Dimensions: 45x85x19 mm
d - Bore Diameter: 45 mm
D - Outside Diameter: 85 mm
B - Width: 19 mm
Bore Type: cylindrical
Sealing: both sides
Seal Type: contact
Seal Designation: 2RS1
Radial Internal Clearance: C3, greater than Normal
Lubrication: grease
GJN Grease: Mobil Polyrex EM
Grease Thickener: polyurea
GJN Consistency: NLGI 2
GJN Base Oil: mineral oil
Bearing Material: bearing steel
Cage Design: sheet metal.

FAQ

What are the dimensions of SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN?

The bearing dimensions are 45x85x19 mm: 45 mm bore diameter, 85 mm outside diameter and 19 mm width.

What type of bearing is SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN?

It is a single-row deep groove ball bearing with a cylindrical bore and contact seals on both sides.

What does 2RS1 mean on SKF 6209?

2RS1 means that the bearing has SKF contact seals on both sides. SKF specifies the RS1/2RS1 seal design for 6200-series bearings from size 6206 upward.

What does C3 mean?

C3 means that the radial internal clearance is greater than Normal. It is a defined manufacturing clearance class, not an indication of bearing wear.

What does GJN mean on an SKF bearing?

GJN identifies an SKF grease specification using Mobil Polyrex EM, a polyurea-thickened grease. SKF describes GJN as an NLGI 2 grease with a urea thickener and mineral base oil.

Can SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN carry axial loads?

Yes. As a deep groove ball bearing, it can accommodate radial loads and axial loads in both directions.

Is SKF 6209 2RS the same as 6209-2RS1?

For this SKF bearing size, 2RS1 is the technically correct SKF catalogue suffix for contact seals on both sides. “2RS” is commonly used as a generic commercial description.

Can a standard 6209-2RS1 replace 6209-2RS1/C3GJN?

Not automatically. The replacement must account for the required C3 internal clearance and GJN grease specification, in addition to dimensions and sealing.

AI Overview

SKF 6209-2RS1/C3GJN is a single-row deep groove ball bearing with dimensions 45x85x19 mm. It has SKF 2RS1 contact seals on both sides, C3 radial internal clearance greater than Normal and GJN Mobil Polyrex EM polyurea-thickened grease. Its deep groove design accommodates radial loads and axial loads in both directions.