How to Choose Needle Roller Bearings?
Faced with a dazzling array of needle roller bearing models—KR, NATR, KRV, NATV… have you ever felt completely confused? In fact, as long as you understand the “coding rules” behind the model numbers, you can quickly determine their structural features and suitable applications. A decoding table makes it easy to see the differences between KR, NATR, KRV, and other models.
According to the GB/T 6445 standard, needle roller bearings are mainly divided into two categories: bolt type and those with a flat retaining ring. The first letter or prefix of the model is the key to differentiating them:
- KR series: Bolt-type rollers, usually with a cage, suitable for medium-speed, medium-load conditions, such as conveyor lines and guide rail systems.
- KRV series: Also a bolt structure, but with a full complement of rollers (no cage), offering higher load capacity, suitable for low-speed, heavy-load conditions.
- NATR series: Outer ring with a flat retaining ring for axial positioning, commonly used in installations that need to prevent the outer ring from rotating.
- NATV series: An upgrade of NATR with a full complement of rollers, combining high rigidity and high load performance, often found in heavy machinery or impact load scenarios.
In addition, whether a bearing has a cage directly affects speed and lifespan: bearings with cages have lower friction and higher speed; full complement rollers sacrifice some speed for higher load capacity.
When selecting a model, it helps to ask three questions: Does the installation space support bolt fixing? Is the operating condition high-speed light-load, or low-speed heavy-load? Is axial positioning of the outer ring required?
Once you have the answers, the corresponding model naturally emerges. Understanding the code is like reading the “ID card” of a bearing—precise matching for maximum efficiency.
If you want to know more bearing information,please contact us :
sales@cwlbearing.com
service@cwlbearing.com
Post time: Jan-04-2026
