CA and CC spherical roller bearings commonly differ in cage construction and internal guidance. In ZQM’s catalog terminology, CA identifies a machined brass cage and CC a pressed steel cage. That distinction is useful when ordering, but it does not tell you that one execution is always better or that the two are interchangeable.
For a replacement, start with the complete designation and the manufacturer’s drawing. Check the proposed execution against the original specification before treating CA and CC as alternatives.
CA vs CC: What the Design Names Tell You
As a documented manufacturer example, SKF’s CA design uses a machined brass cage, retaining flanges at the inner-ring ends and a floating guide ring. Its CC design uses two stamped steel cages, a flangeless inner ring and a floating guide ring. These descriptions refer to SKF’s published designs; they are not a complete drawing of every supplier’s bearing.
Other manufacturers use their own design names. NSK, for example, lists CA with a machined brass cage and uses EA, C and CD for pressed-steel-cage designs. Do not convert a designation between brands solely by matching a few suffix letters.
| Question | CA | CC |
|---|---|---|
| ZQM catalog cage description | Machined brass cage | Pressed steel cage |
| Internal guidance | Confirm the offered design and drawing | Confirm the offered design and drawing |
| Boundary dimensions | Check bore, outside diameter and width for the full model | Check the same three dimensions; do not compare different basic models as equivalents |
| Clearance and bore | Specified separately from CA | Specified separately from CC |
| Load and speed ratings | Use data for the actual offered execution | Use data for the actual offered execution |
| Replacement decision | Requires application and installation checks | Requires the same checks; matching dimensions alone is insufficient |
Keep Cage Design Separate From Other Suffixes
CA or CC does not specify the internal-clearance group. A C3 requirement therefore needs to remain in the enquiry and order acknowledgement. Likewise, confirm whether the bore is cylindrical or tapered rather than inferring it from the cage description.
W33 describes a lubrication feature, not a cage material. In SKF’s designation system it identifies an outer-ring groove and three lubrication holes. Hole positions and the actual supplied geometry must be checked against the relevant drawing; a catalog cover photo is not an installation drawing.
A Common Comparison That Is Not a Replacement Check
Our 22256 CC/W33 bearing and 22340 CA/W33 bearing illustrate the two catalog descriptions. They have different basic designations and dimensions. Comparing their cages does not make them substitutes for one another.
Even when two offers have the same basic designation and boundary dimensions, ask whether the internal geometry, cage guidance and rating data match the application. Keep the existing bearing marking, equipment documentation and proposed supplier’s specification together during the review.
Do Not Choose by Cage Color or a Generic Performance Claim
Brass and steel are useful visual clues, but a photograph cannot establish a bearing’s speed capability, load rating, heat treatment or operating life. Avoid buying on claims such as “CA is always for heavier loads” or “CC is always faster.” Request the ratings and operating conditions for the actual product being offered.
If a quotation proposes a change of execution, ask the supplier to identify the change explicitly. The approval should cover the complete bearing and installation requirements, not simply permission to change the cage material.
Check the Size Series Before Comparing CA and CC
The cage suffix and the size series answer different questions. In the 223 series spherical roller bearing dimensions table, 22340 CA/W33 is listed as 200 × 420 × 138 mm. In the 240 series bearing size table, 24040 CA/W33 is 200 × 310 × 109 mm. Both have a 200 mm bore and a CA cage description, yet their outside diameter and width differ.
That is why a search by bore alone is not a replacement decision. First establish the basic designation and installation envelope. Then review the requested cage execution, clearance, bore form and other suffixes. Keep dimensions in millimeters and check which symbol the catalog uses for each width or height.
How to Review a Proposed Cage Substitution
If an original parts list specifies CC and a quotation offers CA, leave the original requirement visible. Ask the supplier to provide the proposed full designation, its dimensional data and the reason for the change. Engineering approval should consider the actual operating conditions and the offered bearing data before the order is released.
Separate catalog information from what has been confirmed for the order. A load rating copied from another brand, or from another internal execution with the same boundary dimensions, is not evidence for the proposed supply. Ask which manufacturer’s data or approved drawing supports the quotation.
The same discipline applies to product images. A reference photo can show the general bearing type, but a brass-cage photo does not describe a CC steel-cage execution. Confirm the cage in writing and use the drawing or supply specification for details that a picture cannot establish.
Find the Model, Then Confirm the Execution
Use the online bearing model catalog to narrow the search before sending an enquiry. Copy the complete designation and available dimensions into your request, identify whether a substitution is being proposed, and state which requirements must remain unchanged.
What to Send for a CA or CC Bearing Quotation
- Complete designation, including clearance, bore and any other required suffixes.
- Quantity, drawing revision and whether this is a replacement or a new design.
- Known loads, speed, temperature, lubrication arrangement and relevant installation details.
- Required inspection documents and any configuration that must not be substituted.
Browse the spherical roller bearing range, or send ZQM Bearings your CA or CC bearing requirements. Where an existing marking is incomplete, include a clear photograph and identify the information still needing confirmation.