Cylinder piston rod purchasing guide

The Function of Pneumatic Piston Rod in Cylinder

The piston rod is an essential component of pneumatic assemblies kit and serves as a key action part of the cylinder, while also fulfilling several other important functions.

Power Transmission: Transmits the thrust or pulling force generated by the piston inside the cylinder to external mechanisms, enabling linear motion.

Guidance and Support: Works in conjunction with the guide bushing to ensure the accuracy of the piston's linear motion and prevent eccentric loading.

Seal Interface Support: Cooperates with sealing rings to maintain the sealing integrity of the cylinder chambers, preventing air leakage or dust ingress.

3 Common Types of Piston Rod

Carbon Steel Piston Rod:This type of piston rod is mainly made of carbon steel with a carbon content of 0.45%, which belongs to the medium carbon steel category featuring a balanced combination of strength and hardness.

Stainless Steel Piston Rod:This type of piston rod is primarily manufactured from stainless steel, making it particularly suitable for pneumatic systems that require excellent corrosion resistance, cleanliness, and environmental adaptability.

Hollow Stainless Steel Piston Rod:This is a hollow stainless steel piston rod that combines the corrosion resistance and strength of stainless steel with a hollow interior structure to reduce weight and achieve a more lightweight design.

Characteristics and Advantages of Different Piston Rod Types

Carbon Steel Piston Rod: High strength, cost-effective, typically requires surface treatment (e.g., chrome plating) for enhanced corrosion and wear resistance.

Stainless Steel Piston Rod: Excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for harsh environments (e.g., moisture, chemicals), maintains appearance, often has a lower hardness compared to hardened carbon steel.

Hollow Stainless Steel Piston Rod: Reduces overall weight, allows for the passage of fluids, wires, or sensors through the center, offering design flexibility for specific applications.

Usage and Maintenance of Piston Rods

Keep Clean: Dirt, metal chips, or grease adhering to the piston rod can cause scratches or wear on the rod itself and other seals.

Prevent Side Loads: Ensure the piston rod and load are aligned coaxially to avoid bending of the rod or wear on guide components due to misalignment or side loads.

Prevent Rotation: If the piston and rod are connected via threads, consider using a non-rotating cylinder type to reduce premature wear and loss of precision caused by rod rotation.

Regular Lubrication: Lubricating the contact surface between the guide bushing and the piston rod provides optimal maintenance and performance.

Installation of tie rods: By applying uniform preload force, the tie rod ensures precise alignment of the front cover, cylinder barrel, and rear cover, which can minimize eccentric wear and jamming to the greatest extent.

Key Considerations for Piston Rod Selection

Material:The mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of the piston rod greatly affect the service life of the cylinder,Common piston rod materials include carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel, among others.

Diameter and Strength:The diameter of the piston rod determines the output force of the cylinder and should be selected according to the system's working pressure and load requirements.

Surface Treatment:The surface quality of the piston rod directly affects the internal friction and transmission efficiency of the cylinder, with common surface treatments including hard chrome plating, nitriding, mirror polishing, and nickel plating.

Length and Stroke:The length of the piston rod directly affects the stroke of the cylinder, but excessive length may lead to instability.

Anti-Rotation and Guidance:To maintain the linear motion accuracy of the piston rod and prevent rotation or deviation, guide blocks or external guide rods can be added.

Operating Environment:In humid environments, stainless steel or nickel-plated piston rods should be used; in dusty environments, dust seals and hardened surface treatments are recommended; in high-temperature environments, heat-resistant materials and sealing components are required.

Pneumatic Company Introduction

The piston rod is the core Energy conversion component of a cylinder. Through proper material selection, correct installation, prevention of rotation and side loads, along with regular lubrication and inspection, stable cylinder operation, long service life, and easy maintenance can be ensured.

Pneumatic company Fokca offers a wide range of pneumatic products, including pneumatic control components, actuation components, transmission components, sealing and damping components, air treatment components, and more. We also support OEM customization services. Visit our official website to learn more.