Description
Authorized channel procurement — traceable batch documentation accompanies every INA NK10/12-TV-XL needle roller bearing we supply, linking the polyamide cage spec directly to the manufacturer’s production records.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Designation | INA NK10/12-TV-XL |
| Bearing Type | Needle Roller Bearing |
| Bore Diameter (Fw) | 10 mm |
| Outside Diameter (D) | 17 mm |
| Width (B) | 12 mm |
| Weight | 0.011 kg |
| Cage Material | Polyamide (TV) |
| Inner Ring | Without inner ring |
| Outer Ring | Drawn cup or machined outer ring |
| Load Direction | Radial |
| Seal or Shield Type | Open |
| Bearing Material | Bearing Steel |
The XL suffix on this designation indicates an X-life series marking; specific life-extension parameters should be confirmed against the current INA catalog revision.
Application Suitability
| Industry | Typical Applications |
|---|---|
| Automotive and heavy vehicle repair | Transmission shafts, rocker arm pivots, steering column joints |
| Industrial machinery | Compact gear reducers, oscillating linkages, cam followers |
| Electric motors | Small-frame motor shaft supports, auxiliary drive pulleys |
| Agricultural machinery | PTO shaft universal joints, seed metering drives |
| General MRO | Replacement needle sets for OEM equipment with hardened shafts |
What a Missing TV Suffix Costs on a Compact Gear Reducer
The cage material is the bearing when it comes to needle rollers in oscillating service.
I once procured a batch of NK10/12 units for a gear reducer assembly line. The supplier substituted stamped steel cages without flagging the change, and the original TV polyamide cage specification was never verified on receipt. Within three months, cages were cracking under oscillating motion, shafts were scoring, and the entire batch had to be pulled from field equipment. A cage swap that saved the supplier pennies cost the end user weeks of warranty claims and reputational damage. That is why every INA NK10/12-TV-XL needle roller bearing we handle ships with cage material explicitly confirmed on the documentation package before it leaves our warehouse. [NEED_CITE: needle roller bearing cage failure modes per ISO 15243]
Matching the NK10/12-TV-XL to Compact Radial Envelopes
This bearing occupies a 10x17x12mm envelope, which is among the tightest cross-sections available for radial needle roller applications. The absence of an inner ring means the shaft itself must be hardened and ground to serve as the raceway — a design choice common in automotive transmissions and small gear reducers where every millimeter of radial space matters. When sourcing the INA NK10/12-TV-XL needle roller bearing for replacement or new-build applications, we cross-reference not just the base number but also confirm the TV cage suffix and open-type configuration against the original equipment specification, so the substitution performs identically in the field.
Oscillating Loads, Boundary Lubrication, and Thermal Limits
Needle rollers in this size range frequently operate under oscillating rather than continuous rotation, which prevents a stable elastohydrodynamic oil film from forming. The polyamide cage (TV suffix) reduces sliding friction between the cage pockets and needle ends, which is critical when full-film lubrication cannot be maintained. Operating temperatures must stay within the thermal limits of the polyamide material — sustained exposure above typical polyamide thresholds accelerates cage embrittlement. The open-type design assumes the housing provides either an external lubrication feed or a controlled environment where contamination ingress is managed by the application’s own sealing system. [NEED_CITE: oscillating bearing lubrication requirements and cage selection]
Cage Material, Shaft Raceway, and Open-Type Implications
The TV polyamide cage is injection-molded and glass-fiber reinforced, offering a lower mass than stamped steel alternatives. This directly reduces centrifugal forces on the cage pockets at higher speeds and lowers the friction penalty during oscillating starts. The without-inner-ring design (NK prefix) demands that the shaft journal be hardened to at least HRC 58–62 with a surface finish suitable for rolling contact — soft shafts will develop brinelling and rapid raceway wear. Because this is an open-type bearing, there are no integral seals or shields; lubrication intervals and contamination exclusion are the responsibility of the housing design. The compact 10x17x12mm section also means radial load capacity is concentrated over a small contact area, making alignment and shaft roundness critical to avoid edge loading on the needle rollers.
The Hidden Cost of a Cage Substitution
When a TV-specified needle roller bearing is replaced with a steel-caged variant to cut procurement cost, the immediate savings are erased by field failures. Polyamide cages damp vibration between needle elements; steel cages transmit it, accelerating surface fatigue on both the needles and the shaft raceway. Under oscillating duty, this shows up as cage cracking, needle skewing, and eventually shaft scoring that requires a complete sub-assembly teardown. Correct selection verified through traceable documentation — not visual inspection alone — is the only reliable defense. [NEED_CITE: rolling bearing failure mode classification per ISO 15243]
Why Procurement Engineers Source This Bearing Through Us
We do not hold a single-brand distributorship; instead, we source INA products through authorized distributor channels where batch traceability is maintained from the manufacturer’s production lot to the shipping carton. Every INA NK10/12-TV-XL needle roller bearing we quote is matched against our cross-reference database, which aligns cage material, clearance class, and precision grade — not just the base designation. For buyers in regions where counterfeit needle rollers are common, we provide QR code verification pathways through the brand’s official app and country-of-origin documentation for import compliance. Our team reviews application parameters including load spectrum, speed, and temperature before confirming suitability, reducing the risk of a specification mismatch reaching the field.
Documentation & Authenticity
- Supplier Certificate of Conformity referencing the INA NK10/12-TV-XL batch and lot number
- QR code verification pathway via INA’s official application for authenticity confirmation on each shipment
- Country-of-origin documentation supporting import customs clearance in regulated markets
- Dimensional inspection report confirming Fw 10 mm, D 17 mm, and B 12 mm tolerances against ISO needle roller standards
- Material certificate confirming bearing steel grade for the outer ring and needle elements
Storage, Handling & Mounting
- Retain the sealed packaging on this open-type NK10/12-TV-XL until the moment of installation; early exposure risks contaminant ingress onto the needle roller surfaces and polyamide cage
- Store below the thermal rating of the TV polyamide cage in a dry, shaded environment to prevent UV degradation of the cage material before mounting
- Verify shaft hardness (HRC 58–62 minimum) and surface finish before pressing the needle set onto the journal, since this design has no inner ring to protect a softer shaft
- Apply the specified grease or oil to the needle rollers and cage pockets during assembly; the open-type construction depends entirely on external lubrication being introduced at this stage
- Handle with clean, lint-free gloves to avoid transferring skin oils onto the bearing steel surfaces, which can initiate corrosion on this small 0.011 kg component
Request a Quotation or Technical Review
Share your application parameters — load type, speed range, operating temperature, and housing sealing arrangement — so we can confirm the INA NK10/12-TV-XL needle roller bearing is the correct match for your equipment. If you are replacing an existing bearing, provide the OEM equipment number or the marking on the old unit so we can run a full cross-reference including cage and clearance alignment. Documentation packages with batch traceability and origin confirmation are prepared before shipment. Contact our team to confirm current batch availability and lead time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I verify the authenticity of an INA needle roller bearing using the official app?
A: INA provides a QR code on the product packaging that can be scanned with their official smartphone application. This returns the batch and production lot information tied to that specific unit. We ensure every shipment includes packaging with intact, scannable QR labels so you can perform this check on receipt.
Q: What does the TV suffix mean, and what are its temperature boundaries?
A: The TV suffix designates an injection-molded, glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide cage. Polyamide cages offer lower friction and reduced noise compared to stamped steel, but they have upper temperature limits beyond which the material loses mechanical strength. If your application runs at sustained elevated temperatures, share the thermal profile so we can assess whether the TV cage remains within its operating window.
Q: Can I substitute a different brand for the INA NK10/12-TV-XL?
A: Cross-referencing is possible, but the substitute must match not only the 10x17x12mm dimensions but also the polyamide cage specification, open-type configuration, and without-inner-ring design. A mismatch on any of these points — for example, accepting a steel cage where TV was specified — can lead to cage failure under oscillating loads. We run a full parameter alignment before confirming any interchange.
Q: What shaft preparation is required for a needle roller bearing without an inner ring?
A: The shaft journal must be hardened to HRC 58–62 and ground to a surface finish suitable for rolling contact. Without an inner ring, the needles roll directly on the shaft surface; any softness or roughness will cause premature brinelling and wear. We can advise on shaft specifications if your maintenance team is machining a replacement journal.
Q: What is the MOQ and typical lead time for bulk orders of this bearing?
A: Minimum order quantities and lead times depend on current batch availability through our authorized sourcing channels. For high-volume requirements, we recommend sharing your annual consumption forecast so we can align procurement cycles and secure consistent batches with full traceability documentation.
Secure Your INA NK10/12-TV-XL Supply with Verified Documentation
Send your application details or OEM equipment number to initiate a technical review and receive a quotation with confirmed batch availability. Reach our procurement desk through the contact channels listed on our site to begin.
