SKF
Bearing Housings
SKF bearing housings are modular, precision-engineered enclosures that support, protect, and align rolling bearings while providing containment for lubricant and a mounting interface to the machine structure. Unlike complete mounted bearing units that include a matched bearing, SKF bearing housings are supplied without bearings, giving design engineers the flexibility to select the specific bearing type, size, internal clearance, and sealing arrangement best suited to their application requirements. The SKF bearing housing portfolio includes split pillow block (plummer block) housings — the most popular design, with the SNL series as the global market leader — along with flanged housings, take-up housings, and specialized two-bearing housings. Housings are manufactured in cast iron, spheroidal graphite cast iron, and cast steel, with dimensional series that cover shaft diameters from 20 mm to over 400 mm. Split construction allows the housing to be installed around a pre-assembled shaft, simplifying installation and enabling bearing inspection without complete disassembly.
Send an Enquiry
We'll get back to you on WhatsApp.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
SNL Series
The Industry-Standard Split Pillow Block Housing: SKF SNL plummer block housings are developed to be the first choice for design, quality, and economy, with optimized housing bore tolerances and improved bore roundness for maximum bearing performance.
Flexible Bearing Selection
Because SKF housings are supplied without bearings, engineers can choose the exact bearing type (spherical roller, CARB, self-aligning ball) and variant (sealed, open, with tapered bore) for each application.
Split Construction Simplifies Installation & Inspection
The split housing design enables mounting around a pre-existing shaft assembly and allows bearing inspection by lifting the housing cap without removing the shaft or adjacent equipment.
Modular Seal & Accessory Integration
SKF housing designs accommodate a wide range of sealing options (labyrinth, contact, felt, taconite) and accessories (condition monitoring sensors, automatic lubricators, oil level indicators) through standardized interfaces.
Two-Bearing Housings for Improved Running Accuracy
SKF PD series two-bearing housings provide a single rigid structure for two bearings, improving shaft alignment accuracy and reducing vibration compared to separate housing arrangements.
Robust Housings for Demanding Environments
SKF SNL/SAF series housings are manufactured to world-class quality standards with optimized heat transfer characteristics, extending lubricant life and bearing service life in punishing operating conditions.
SKF SNL Housings: The Most Popular Bearing Housing on the Market
The SKF SNL split pillow block housing has earned its position as the global market leader through decades of continuous development and refinement. Key design features include an optimized housing bore tolerance and improved bore roundness that together maximize the service life potential of the bearings mounted within. The housing material provides effective heat transfer, helping to maintain lubricant at operating temperatures that preserve its lubricating properties. The split construction with a locating groove ensures that the housing cap and base are always correctly aligned during reassembly. SNL housings are available in multiple dimensional series (2, 3, 5, and 6) covering shaft diameters from 20 mm to 160 mm, with configurations supporting bearings on adapter sleeves, cylindrical seatings, and with various sealing options. The housings also feature flat surfaces and threaded connections for mounting condition monitoring sensors and automatic lubrication devices, supporting modern predictive maintenance strategies.
Housing Material Selection: Cast Iron, SG Iron, or Cast Steel?
The choice of housing material directly impacts the bearing arrangement's strength, durability, and suitability for specific operating conditions. Standard SKF split pillow block housings are manufactured from grey cast iron (EN-GJL-200), which provides good strength, excellent machinability, and effective vibration damping — suitable for the majority of industrial applications. For applications involving higher loads or impact conditions, spheroidal graphite (SG) cast iron (EN-GJS-400-15) offers superior tensile strength and ductility, reducing the risk of housing fracture under shock loading. For the most extreme applications, cast steel housings provide the highest strength and toughness, withstanding severe impact loads and high static loads where cast iron might fail. SKF's materials engineering team can advise on the appropriate housing material for each application's load spectrum and safety requirements.