SKF VA208 Bearing

So your SKF bearing has VA201 written on it. What does it mean ? Is it important ?

SKF VA208 bearings are part of SKF’s bearing range for high temperatures. The SKF VA208 bearings are suitable for the highest temperature ranges up to 350 °C (660 °F).

The SKF VA208 bearing range are best suited for machinery that operates at low speeds or with oscillating movements that are in applications with very high temperatures. This bearing type has a combination of a solid graphite cage, an adjusted radial internal clearance to allow for thermal expansion and integral bearing shields.

Are VA208 bearings interchangeable with standard SKF bearings ?

No, the materials, seals and cage constructions of the bearings as well as the lubricants are specially optimised in the VA208 series bearings.
It is possible that you could use a SKF VA201 or SKF VA228 bearing in place of a VA208 bearing but you would need to check compatibility first. Below are some of the key comparisons between the three types of bearings

Lubrication type
VA201 – This uses a polyalkylene glycol/graphite mixture
VA208 – This uses a segmented cage made of graphite
VA228 – This uses a coronet cage made of graphite

All three variants use Phosphated rings, rolling elements and cages
The VA208 and VA228 SKF bearings are NSF H1 food grade bearings, the VA201 isn’t
The VA201 series bearing is an open bearing without shields unless it specifically states 2Z. The VA208 and VA228 have shields as standard.
The VA201 needs relubrication as it is an open bearing, the VA208 and VA228 bearings are lubrication free.
The maximum operating temperatures are 250 °C (480 °F) for the VA201 and 350 °C (660 °F) for the VA208 and VA228 variants.
The limiting speeds are 4500r/min for the VA201 and VA208 and 9000 r/min for the VA228. This speed needs to be divided by the bearing mean diameter 0.5x(inner diameter + outer diameter) or if the bearing uses outer ring rotation then the limiting speed should be divided just by the outer diameter.
The VA201 variant requires a running in period whereas the VA208 and VA228 SKF bearings don’t.

Follow the link to download the SKF catalogue that contains more information on VA208 SKF Bearings

Visit our SKF High temperature bearings page for more information or go directly to the SKF VA228 page or our SKF VA201 page if you are interested in those variants.