6203 bearings are available with many different types of seals and shields. The part numbering system differs greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer so it’s useful to understand what all of the numbers and letters at the end of the bearing mean. Below we go through some of the major manufacturers to identify those and ensure that when you need to replace your bearing that you get the right seal to suit your requirements.
SKF 6203 Bearings
SKF manufacture a huge range of variants on their 6203 bearings. Below are some of those options along with explanations as to what the letters mean
SKF 6203 Bearings with rubber seals
6203-RS1 – This means that the bearing has a contact seal made of NBR rubber on just one side of the bearing. The other side of the bearing is open and doesn’t have a seal
6203-2RS1 – This means that the bearing has contact seals made of NBR rubber on both sides of the bearing
6203-RS2 – This means that the bearing has a contact seal made of FKM rubber on just one side of the bearing. The other side of the bearing is open and doesn’t have a seal
6203-2RS2 – This means that the bearing has contact seals made of FKM rubber on both sides of the bearing
6203-RSH – This means that the bearing has a contact seal made of NBR rubber on just one side of the bearing. The other side of the bearing is open and doesn’t have a seal
6203-2RSH – This means that the bearing has contact seals made of NBR rubber on both sides of the bearing
6203-RSH2 – This means that the bearing has a contact seal made of FKM rubber on just one side of the bearing. The other side of the bearing is open and doesn’t have a seal
6203-2RSH2 – This means that the bearing has contact seals made of FKM rubber on both sides of the bearing
6203-RSL – This means that the bearing has a low friction seal made of NBR rubber on just one side of the bearing. The other side of the bearing is open and doesn’t have a seal
6203-2RSL - This means that the bearing has low friction seals made of NBR rubber on both sides of the bearing
6203-RST - This means that the bearing has a low friction seal made of NBR rubber on just one side of the bearing. The other side of the bearing is open and doesn’t have a seal
6203-2RST - This means that the bearing has low friction seals made of NBR rubber on both sides of the bearing
6203-RZ – This means that the bearing has a non-contact seal made of NBR rubber on just one side of the bearing. The other side of the bearing is open and doesn’t have a seal
6203-2RZ – This means that the bearing has non contact seals made of NBR rubber on both sides of the bearing
SKF 6203 Bearings with metal shields
6203-Z – This means that there is a metal shield on just one side of the bearing. The other side of the bearing is open and doesn’t have a shield
6203-2Z – This means that there are metal shields on both sides of the bearing.
SNR 6203 Bearings
SNR have a smaller number of variants than SKF of the 6203 bearing. Below we look at what each mean
6203E – with contact seal on one side of the bearing
6203EE – with contact seals on both sides of the bearing
6203LT – Topline range with seals on both sides for use in low temperature applications
6203LTZZ – Topline range with metal shields on both sides for use in low temperature applications
6203Z – with metal shield on one side
6203ZZ – with metal shields on both sides
6203HVZZ – with metal shields on both sides and the bearing being suitable for high speed
6203FT150 with high temperature FKM seals on both sides max 200 degrees C
6203FT150ZZ – with high temperature metal shields on both sides max 200 degrees C
6203HT200 – with high temperature FKM seals on both sides max 200 degrees C
6203HT200ZZ - with high temperature metal shields on both sides max 200 degrees C
NTN 6203 Bearings
6203A – with polyacrylic seal
6203A1 – with fluorine seal
6203A2 – with silicon material seal
6203LU – with contact seal on one side of the bearing
6203LLU – with contact seals on both sides of the bearing
6203LB – with nitrile non-friction seal on one side of the bearing
6203LLB – with nitrile non friction seals on both sides of the bearing
6203Z – with metal shield on one side of the bearing
6203ZZ – with metal shields on both sides of the bearing
6203LH – with nitrile low torque seal on one side of the bearing
6203LLH – with nitrile low torque seals on both sides of the bearing
Koyo 6203 Bearings
6203-Z – with a fixed shield on one side of the bearing
6203-ZZ – with fixed shields on both sides of the bearing
6203-ZX – with a removable shield on one side of the bearing
6203-ZZX – with removable shields on both sides of the bearing
6203-RU – with a non-contact seal on one side of the bearing
6203-2RU – with non-contact seals on both sides of the bearing
6203-ZU – with non-contact seal on one side of the bearing
6203-2ZU – with non-contact seals on both sides of the bearing
6203-RS – with contact seal on one side of the bearing
6203-2RS – with contact seals on both sides of the bearing
6203-RK – with contact seal on one side of the bearing
6203-2RK – with contact seals on both sides of the bearing
6203-U – with contact seal on one side of the bearing
6203-UU – with contact seals on both sides of the bearing
6203-RD – with extremely light contact seal on one side of the bearing
6203-2RD – with extremely light contact seals on both sides of the bearing
NSK 6203 Bearings
6203-D – with bearing seal on one side
6203-DD – with bearing seals on both sides
6203-DU – with bearing seal on one side
6203-DDU – with bearing seals on both sides
RHP 6203 Bearings
6203-RSR – with bearing seal on one side
6203-2RSR – with bearing seals on both sides
6203-RS – with bearing seal on one side
6203-2RS – with bearing seals on both sides
If after seeing all of the possible variants above across those manufacturers you are slightly confused as to which bearing you need then it’s always recommended to refer back to the manufacturer and use the bearing that that they originally supplied with the machine. If you’ve taken the bearing out and are looking to replace it then check the numbers on your bearing. Alternatively, you can always email and call us, tell us the application that you are looking to replace the bearing for and let us help you with a suggestion. We have decades of experience with bearings and whilst there are so many options out there, the bulk of bearing replacements can often be covered with the most standard part. Many of the variants above have been developed to suit specific applications and if you have one of those then often you’ll know how important the bearing and other components are anyway and will likely have a parts book that tells you exactly what you need to replace it with when undertaking maintenance.