Hi Danni,

SKF

have a lot of design info – the challenge can be finding the particular information you want, but it will almost certainly be available on their website somewhere. Fits are dependant on many factors, but are influenced by what is driving the shaft etc. & what it is, in turn, driving. From memory, cyclic loads & drivers (i.e internal combustion engines) require higher levels of interference fit to prevent unwanted rotation of the bearing shells in housings. On a motorcycle engine I have, the interferences are such that the casings have to be heated to 120 degrees C to fit the bearings, then the inner bearing races similarly heated to fit the shafts. Bearings with larger than standard clearances are required, as the preloads reduce the internal clearance when everything cools to normal operating temperatures.

SKF used to do a large printed General Catalogue that contained such information. The copy I have is dated 2003 & runs to 1120 A5 pages. I don’t think they do these any more, so everything is online.

Nigel B.

This might save some keyboard ‘legwork’ – https://www.skf.com/uk/products/rolling-bearings/principles-of-rolling-bearing-selection/bearing-selection-process/bearing-interfaces