SKF 3210 A Double Row Angular Contact Ball Bearing, 50 mm

A compact double row bearing for combined radial load and axial load in both directions

The SKF 3210 A is a double row angular contact ball bearing with a 50 mm bore, 90 mm outside diameter and 30.2 mm width. In design and operation it corresponds to a pair of single row angular contact bearings mounted back-to-back, but it needs less axial space and is supplied as one unit with one-piece inner and outer rings. SKF states that it can operate at high speeds and is better than a deep groove ball bearing at supporting large axial forces in both directions, and that it handles tilting moments and gives a stiff bearing arrangement.

The A suffix identifies the Conrad style. The catalogue explains that this style uses a slight elastic deflection of the outer ring to insert the last ball, which gives uninterrupted raceways, smooth running and thrust capacity in both directions. This is the more popular of the two double row styles; the alternative E (Max type) has a filling slot and can carry more radial load but heavy thrust in one direction only. Typical uses are pump shafts, gearbox and compressor shafts, small hoists and machine tool and fan spindles where one bearing has to locate the shaft axially.

Technical specifications

Neighbouring sizes in the 3200 A series

The rows are the open bearings from the SKF catalogue table for the 3200 A series. Speeds are limiting speeds for open and sealed versions; a dash means no limiting speed is listed.

Selection, mounting and what to confirm before ordering

Because the two contact lines converge outside the bearing, a double row bearing resists tilting better than a single row bearing, but it is less tolerant of misalignment than a self-aligning ball bearing. Keep the shaft and housing seats accurately aligned and use the shoulder diameters recommended by SKF. The 3210 A is a bearing with Normal axial internal clearance (CN); if the shaft will run warm or the fit is tight, ask about C3. The cage is sheet metal, so it is a general industrial bearing rather than a high-temperature or high-speed spindle design.

The 3200 A series is also available open, shielded (2Z), sealed (2RS1) or with a snap ring groove (NR), as shown in the catalogue table, so check which variant you actually need. Where the application is purely radial or the thrust is light, a deep groove bearing such as the SKF 6206-2RS1 may be a more economical choice. More ball bearings are grouped under Ball Bearings.

Related SKF products: SKF 7312 BECBM Angular Contact Ball Bearing, 60 mm, SKF 6314 Deep Groove Ball Bearing, 70x150x35 mm, SKF 6206-2RS1 Deep Groove Ball Bearing, SKF 6316 M/C3VL0241 INSOCOAT Insulated Ball Bearing, SKF 6205-2RSH/C3 Sealed Deep Groove Ball Bearing and SKF 6208/HC5C3 Hybrid Ceramic Deep Groove Ball Bearing.

Documents and ordering

The attached PDF is a two-page extract from the SKF catalogue SKF bearings and mounted products (SKF USA edition): the angular contact ball bearing introduction, including the Conrad and Max type explanation, and the 3200 A series table. Note that the static load rating and reference speed are left out of the table above on purpose, because the SKF product page and the catalogue extract differ; ask for the current figure when you request a quotation. State the full designation, clearance class and seal or shield suffix. Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier in Muscat; availability and lead time are confirmed per enquiry.