2RZ is a rubber sealing ring whose lip runs in a narrow gap rather than on the inner ring. The rubber gives a longer, tighter path than a steel shield, but because nothing rubs, the bearing keeps most of its speed rating and runs cooler than a 2RS.
A contact lip is limited by surface speed: above a certain rim speed the lip overheats, the rubber takes a permanent set and the seal leaks. The non-contact design removes that limit by holding the lip a few hundredths of a millimetre away from the inner ring. The gap is small enough to stop fine dust and to hold grease, but there is no wear surface, so speed and temperature behave much more like a shielded bearing.
2RZ costs a little more than 2Z and is worth it in three situations.
It is not a contact seal. Standing water, pressure washing and fine abrasive slurry will still find the gap. If the position sees water, either accept the lower speed of 2RS or change the housing design to include a proper seal.
| Meaning | Non-contact rubber seal, both sides |
|---|---|
| Contact | No — lip runs in a narrow gap |
| Material | NBR nitrile rubber |
| Temperature range | −40 to +120 °C |
| Speed rating | 80–90% of the open bearing |
| Protection | Fine dust and light splash; better than a shield |
| Friction | Low — roughly 25–35% of a contact seal |
| Brand equivalents | SKF 2RZ · NSK VV · NTN LLB · NACHI 2NSL |
| Criterion | 2RZ | 2RS | 2Z |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sealing principle | Non-contact rubber gap | Contact rubber lip | Non-contact steel gap |
| Fine dust | Good | Tight | Poor |
| Water splash | Light | Yes | No |
| Speed vs open | 80–90% | 60–70% | 85–95% |
| Drag vs contact seal | 25–35% | 100% | 10–15% |
| Seal wear | None in normal duty | Lip wears, sets with heat | None |
| Relative cost | 100–108% | 100% | 92–96% |
| Best for | Fast + dusty | Dusty + wet + slow | Fast + dry |
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Read →Rubber contact seal on both sides — maximum protection
Read →Steel shield on both sides — high speed, coarse dust only
Read →No seal — maximum speed, relubrication access
Read →The brand crosswalk for contact rubber seals
Read →SKF's reinforced contact seal for larger bores
Read →FKM and PTFE seals for 150–260 °C
Read →Both have rubber seals on both sides. In 2RS the lip touches the inner ring, which seals better but adds drag and cuts the speed rating to 60–70%. In 2RZ the lip runs in a gap, so it keeps 80–90% of the speed rating with slightly weaker sealing.
Only against light splash and condensation. It is not a contact seal and will not survive pressure washing or immersion.
Yes, typically 20–30% faster. The absence of lip friction is the whole point of the design.
Functionally yes. VV is NSK's designation for a non-contact rubber seal on both sides; LLB is NTN's and 2NSL is NACHI's. Boundary dimensions and duty class are the same, so they interchange.
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