How long can a pneumatic cylinder last?

Nov 28, 2025

How long a pneumatic cylinder can last depends on a combination of design quality, operating conditions, and maintenance practices. While many standard cylinders are engineered to deliver millions of cycles, their actual lifespan can vary significantly from one application to another.

As a manufacturer with extensive knowledge of the characteristics of various brands and series of cylinders, the service life and expected number of cycles of cylinders are topics of great concern to most customers. Below are the parameters for several series of pneumatic actuators we mainly deal in, for your reference.

FESCOLO Cylinder Series Parameter Comparison

Below is a table showing the relevant parameters and service life of various series of pneumatic cylinders series from our Fescolo brand, to help you make the most suitable choice.

Series Model	Standard / Type	Typical Bore (mm)	Typical Stroke (mm)	Estimated Life (km)	Key Features & Material
DNC Series	ISO 6431 Standard	32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100	Up to 1000+	~3,000 - 6,000	Universal ISO interface, high interchangeability, basic standard cylinder.
SI Series	ISO 15552 Standard	32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160	Up to 2000	~5,000 - 8,000	High performance, high load, magnetic piston option, adjustable cushion.
DNG Series	ISO 15552 Standard	32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160	Up to 2000	~5,000 - 8,000	Compact design for ISO 15552, high performance, magnetic piston option.
SC Series	National Standard	20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100	Up to 2000	~3,000 - 6,000	Conforms to Chinese GB standard, universal use, cost-effective.
SU Series	General Purpose	20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100	Up to 1000	~2,000 - 5,000	Lightweight structure, economical, suitable for general applications.
DSN Series	ISO 6432 Mini	8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25	Up to 100	~1,000 - 3,000	Compact and lightweight, conforms to international mini cylinder standard.
MA Series	Stainless Steel Mini	8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25	Up to 100	~1,000 - 3,000	Stainless steel body & rod, corrosion-resistant, for clean environments.
MAL Series	Aluminum Mini	8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25	Up to 100	~1,000 - 3,000	Aluminum body, lightweight design, economical and practical.
CQ2 Series	Compact	12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63	Up to 100	~2,000 - 5,000	Globally common design, small size, full features, magnetic piston option.
SDA Series	Compact	12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63	Up to 100	~2,000 - 5,000	Ultra-short design, saves space, high cost-performance.
ADVU Series	ISO6431 Compact	32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100	Up to 500	~3,000 - 6,000	Compact cylinder with ISO 6431 interfaces, easy mounting.
CU/CDU Series	Free Mounting	12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63	Up to 100	~2,000 - 5,000	Multiple mounting options, high flexibility for complex structures.

For information on the lifespan of the Airtac, ISO 6431 cylinder series, you can refer to this article.

Factors Affecting Cylinder Lifespan

Side Load:Lateral forces on the piston rod can cause bending, seal wear, and cylinder damage, so guiding devices should be used to ensure the cylinder only bears axial loads.

Eccentric Load:Misaligned loads on the piston rod generate torque that accelerates wear, which can be mitigated by using a floating joint to compensate for alignment errors.

Insufficient Mounting Rigidity:An insecure or soft cylinder mounting base causes vibration and lateral loads, reducing lifespan, which can be prevented by using a rigid, well-secured base.

Operating Speed:Excessive piston speed can damage the cylinder and seals, so proper cushioning and speed control should be used to regulate movement.

Working Pressure:Operating a cylinder outside its rated air pressure reduces sealing, output force, and lifespan, so a pressure regulator should be used to maintain stable pressure.

Working Cycle:High-frequency or continuous cylinder operation accelerates heat and seal wear, so cylinders designed for high-cycle applications should be used.

Compressed Air Quality:Cylinder lifespan is critically affected by air quality—moisture, dust, and inappropriate oil can cause corrosion, wear, and seal damage—so a pneumatic triplet should be used to provide clean, dry, properly lubricated air.

Lubrication:Whether the cylinder is lubricated regularly and correctly.Lack of lubrication or improper lubrication accelerates seal wear and can cause premature failure, so cylinders should receive continuous or correctly specified lubrication.

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