7203 Angular Contact Ball Bearing (17x40x12mm)
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Bearing dimensions and basic technical information.
Manufacturer Ratings
Load-rating symbols are printed as each manufacturer writes them in its own catalogue, so the same quantity can carry a different symbol from brand to brand.
| Brand | Dynamic Load Rating | Static Load Rating | Fatigue Load Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKF 7203 BEP | 10.4 kN | 5.5 kN | 0.236 kN |
| NSK 7203A | 11.9 kN | 6 kN | — |
| Schaeffler (FAG) 7203-B-XL-JP | 10.5 kN | 5.7 kN | 0.395 kN |
| NTN 7203 | 13.2 kN | 6.6 kN | 0.515 kN |
| Timken 7203 B | 9.93 kN | 5.54 kN | — |
Speed Ratings
Speed limits depend on sealing and lubrication, and definitions differ by manufacturer. The figures below are for the open version of this bearing. Always confirm the exact variant in the manufacturer's table.
Sealed and shielded versions such as 2Z or 2RS have their own pages; a machined brass cage writing gets its own ↳ row where the catalogue prints a different limit.
| Brand | Grease open / shielded | Oil open | Reference | Limiting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKF 7203 BEP | — | — | 22,000 r/min | 20,000 r/min |
| NSK 7203A | 16,000 r/min | 22,000 r/min | — | — |
| Schaeffler (FAG) 7203-B-XL-JP | — | — | 17,100 r/min | 23,400 r/min |
| NTN 7203 | 19,000 r/min | 26,000 r/min | — | — |
| Timken 7203 B | 17,000 r/min | 22,000 r/min | — | — |
References
- SKF — SKF Group, Rolling Bearings, PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN, Oct. 2018.
- NSK — NSK Ltd., Rolling Bearings for Industrial Machinery, CAT. No. E1103, Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 2025.
- Schaeffler (FAG) — Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Rolling Bearings, HR 1, Herzogenaurach, Germany, Feb. 2025.
- NTN — NTN Corporation, Ball and Roller Bearings, CAT. No. 2203-3E, Osaka, Japan, Sep. 2000.
- Timken — The Timken Company, Angular Contact Ball Bearing Catalog, Order No. 11193, North Canton, OH, USA, 2022.
About This Type
Angular contact ball bearings carry combined radial and axial loads; the contact angle lets a single bearing take axial load in one direction. They run at high speed and are the standard choice for machine-tool spindles, pumps, compressors, gearboxes and electric motors.
A single bearing carries axial load in one direction only, so two bearings are mounted back-to-back, face-to-face or in tandem — or a double-row 32/33 series bearing is used instead. A larger contact angle (commonly 40° rather than 30°, or 25° rather than 15°) raises axial capacity at the cost of radial capacity and speed. Axial clearance is not a catalogue suffix here: it is set by the paired configuration and the mounting adjustment, and universally matched bearings are supplied ground for a defined clearance or preload.
Orientation decides everything: in a back-to-back pair the load lines diverge and the arrangement is stiff against tilting; face-to-face tolerates more misalignment; tandem doubles the thrust capacity in one direction. Mount so that the thrust acts against the high shoulder of the outer ring, keep matched sets together, and apply the manufacturer’s preload or clearance setting — a loose pair loses the stiffness the arrangement was chosen for.
Series note: The 72 series is the standard medium design and the most widely used single-row angular contact series.
Related Guides
Disclaimer: Data on this page is compiled from publicly available online sources for reference only, and not every model appears in a manufacturer's published catalog. Values may differ between sources and editions — always verify against the manufacturer's current documentation before design or purchase.Full disclaimer →