What is ISO 20515 about?
ISO 20515 specifies dimensions and tolerances of retaining slots to be used for outer rings of single-row angular contact ball bearings, four-point contact ball bearings and radial cylindrical roller bearings. The retaining slots are not suitable for use in the outer rings of sealed and shielded radial ball bearings, nor in the outer rings of radial cylindrical roller bearings without ribs.
Who is ISO 20515 for?
ISO 20515 on radial bearings is relevant to:
- Manufacturers and technical designers of rolling bearings
- Mechanical engineers
- Aerospace industry
Why should you use ISO 20515?
A rolling-element bearing, often known as a rolling bearing, is a bearing that carries a load by inserting rolling elements (such as balls or rollers) between two bearing rings called races.
ISO 20515 defines the dimensions and tolerances for retention slots in single-row angular contact ball bearings, four-point contact ball bearings, and radial cylindrical roller bearings' outer rings. This can assist you in carrying a load with the least amount of friction possible.
ISO 20515 gives tolerances in technical drawings that are expressed using geometrical Product specifications (GPS). It specifies the nominal geometry of the product's components, as well as the tolerances that specify the permissible deviations from that nominal geometry.
Overall, the ISO 20515-compliant guidance on dimensions can impart excellent service despite rapid acceleration, temperature or load, assisting in improved performance of the end-use application.
What’s changed since the last update?
ISO 20515:2021 supersedes BS ISO 20515:2012, which is withdrawn. ISO 20515:2021 includes some technical changes with respect to BS ISO 20515:2012. These include:
- The title has been updated
- The geometrical product specification (GPS) has been modified
- The specification for the location of the retaining slot's bottom surface has been changed from a distance to a position specification, whereas the tolerance values must be recalculated and rounded
- The structure of the tables has been revised

