Complete Guide to ISO 15552 Cylinders: Definition, Advantages, Types, Sizes

In pneumatic systems using compressed air, the energy of the air is converted into linear motion and force output by a cylinder. The simplest form of a cylinder consists of a movable component—the piston—and a piston rod located inside the cylinder barrel. This cylinder structure is also referred to as a rod-type cylinder. Other types of cylinders include rotary cylinders, rodless cylinders, guided cylinders, and anti-rotation cylinders.

Why use ISO-standard cylinders?

There are many cylinder manufacturers in the market offering various shapes and sizes. While this diversity encourages innovation and competitive pricing, it can lead to significant challenges in maintenance and parts replacement—especially when a manufacturer ceases operations or discontinues a product line. In such cases, replacing the entire cylinder or associated components may be required.

Using internationally standardized cylinders, however, ensures interchangeability across manufacturers in terms of dimensions, ports, and mounting interfaces. This simplifies maintenance, replacement, and sourcing. For manufacturers, ISO-standard products are easier to market and procure globally, reducing the need for custom production.

The goal of international standards is to establish a unified set of specifications that all manufacturers can follow for basic measurements and dimensions of cylinders and their accessories. The most common ISO-standard cylinders are:

• ISO 6432: Round cylinders

• ISO 15552: Standard profile cylinders

• ISO 21287: Compact cylinders

These standards provide consistent types and basic dimensions of cylinders and their mounting accessories, enabling easy replacement between manufacturers.

What is an ISO 15552 ?

An ISO 15552 cylinder is a double-acting pneumatic cylinder designed in accordance with the ISO 15552 standard. It features interchangeable mounting dimensions, standard bore sizes, and defined performance requirements. These cylinders are widely used in automation equipment.

The ISO 6431 standard, first published in 1983, covered cylinders with bore sizes from 32–100 mm and was an early attempt at standardization for pneumatic cylinders, promoting interface compatibility and parts interchangeability. However, it lacked sufficient scope for larger cylinders and did not provide complete testing or performance specifications.

The ISO 15552:2018 standard is the latest version, replacing earlier standards such as ISO 6431, DIN ISO 6431, VDMA 24562, NF E 49 003.1, and UNI 10290. ISO standards are reviewed every five years and are shaped with input from manufacturers and industry experts. ISO 6431 was officially withdrawn in 1999 and replaced by ISO 15552.

Highlights of ISO 15552 Standard

• Bore size range extended to 32–320 mm

• Enhanced requirements for mounting options, adjustable cushioning,and position sensing

• Introduction of performance testing and interchangeability criteria

Types of Motion

ISO 15552 cylinders come in single-acting and double-acting versions:

• Single-acting: Uses air pressure in one direction and a spring for return motion.

• Double-acting: Uses air pressure in both directions for stroke and return.

Cushioning

ISO 15552 cylinders support various cushioning types:

• Fixed mechanical cushioning

• Adjustable pneumatic cushioning

• Adaptive pneumatic cushioning

The standard specifies that adjustable cushion screws must be located on the same side as the pneumatic ports.

Cylinder Sizes

ISO 15552 includes the following standard bore sizes:32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, and 320 mm.

What types of ISO 15552 cylinders exist?

Many leading pneumatic manufacturers stock and supply cylinders compliant with ISO 15552, including:

• ISO 6431 standard cylinder

• DNC series ISO 6431 cylinder

• SI series ISO 15552 cylinder

• DNG series ISO 15552 cylinder

Among well-known brands, several series are designed based on the ISO 15552 standard:

Examples of ISO 15552 Cylinder Series

• Airtac SC series – Robust,cost-effective, widely used

• Airtac SU series – Lightweight,corrosion-resistant, compact design

• SMC MBB series – Durable, suited for heavy-load applications

• SMC CA1 series – Standard structure, versatile in use

• SMC CDA1 series – Similar to CA1, but supports position detection with magnetic piston

Fescolo Manufacturer cooperates with major well-known brands and have the support and guidance of a professional technical team,offers different ISO 15552 cylinders to suit various industry needs through the use of different materials and design structures.

Beyond ISO 15552 Standard Features

In addition to standard features such as bore size, stroke length, and cushioning methods, cylinder manufacturers also offer a range of configurable options, including:

• Corrosion and wear resistance

• High flexibility

• Oil, heat,and food-grade resistance

• Remote control compatibility

• Position sensing

• Diverse mounting options

• Energy-saving cushioning

• Adaptability to harsh environments

• Broad compatibility across systems

Thanks to their flexibility and standardization, ISO 15552 cylinders are among the most widely used pneumatic actuators in the industry. Virtually every production facility using pneumatic systems incorporates them.

Want to identify an ISO 15552-compliant cylinder? Try our Cylinder Identification Tool.