Stainless Steel Hydraulic Cylinders
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FDH Type Hydraulic Cylinder
Standard industrial series with CETOP RP 58 mountings
Corrosion-Resistant Performance for Challenging Environments
Hydraulic systems operating in aggressive or hygienic environments require components that maintain performance despite constant exposure to moisture, chemicals, or temperature variation. Stainless Steel Hydraulic Cylinders are specifically designed to provide high corrosion resistance while delivering reliable force and controlled motion. In industries where standard materials degrade quickly, stainless steel construction extends service life and protects overall system integrity.
Fenitsa develops stainless steel hydraulic cylinders by evaluating environmental conditions alongside mechanical requirements. Material selection is aligned with operating pressure, load characteristics, and exposure levels. Stainless steel components offer superior resistance to rust and surface deterioration, ensuring stable performance in demanding conditions. Properly engineered Stainless Steel Hydraulic Cylinders reduce the risk of contamination, surface damage, and structural weakening over time.
Precision Manufacturing for Durability and System Reliability
Manufacturing stainless steel hydraulic cylinders requires specialized machining accuracy and surface finishing. Stainless materials behave differently under load and pressure, making precise tolerances essential for sealing efficiency and internal alignment. Any deviation in production can affect pressure retention and motion stability.
Fenitsa structures its production process to ensure consistent quality throughout each manufacturing stage. Stainless steel hydraulic cylinders are produced with attention to internal surface smoothness, piston rod guidance, and sealing compatibility. This results in smooth operation, reduced friction, and dependable pressure control even under continuous use. The durability of Stainless Steel Hydraulic Cylinders also contributes to lower maintenance frequency and improved system uptime.
Selecting Stainless Steel Hydraulic Cylinders should be driven by both environmental exposure and performance expectations. Defining operating conditions, pressure levels, and application requirements allows a focused manufacturing approach. By submitting detailed technical information, stainless steel hydraulic cylinder solutions can be evaluated and produced to deliver long-term reliability, corrosion resistance, and consistent hydraulic performance across demanding industrial applications.
When to Choose Stainless
Choose a stainless steel hydraulic cylinder when corrosion, not force, decides the cylinder’s life: washdown in food plants, salt spray on ships and quays, chemical splash in process plants. There a chrome-plated rod can pit, and every pit cuts the rod seal on the next stroke. Stainless options are built on the same frame as our standard hydraulic cylinders.
| Environment | What attacks the cylinder | What to specify |
|---|---|---|
| Food and beverage | Daily washdown with detergents and disinfectants | Stainless rod; seals suited to the cleaning agents |
| Marine and offshore | Salt spray, splash, salt crystals on the extended rod | Stainless rod; marine paint system on the body |
| Chemical and process plants | Acid or alkaline splash, aggressive vapours | Stainless rod; Viton seals where the media require them |
Stainless is not a cure-all: a hard-chromed Ck45 rod usually resists wear and impact better, so on dry, abrasive duty the standard rod is often the better choice.
Stainless Components
For a hydraulic cylinder, stainless steel matters most on the piston rod, which leaves the cylinder on every stroke. In the FDH series the rod type is the last position of the ordering code, FDH-[bore]-[stroke]-[mounting]-[seal]-[rod type], and SS selects the stainless rod.
| Component | Standard (FDH catalogue) | Stainless or special option |
|---|---|---|
| Piston rod | Ck45, hard chrome ≥ 20 µm, f7 (CR) or hardened + chrome (HR) | SS stainless rod — catalogue option |
| Cylinder tube | Honed St52BK+S steel | Quoted per project |
| Heads, mountings and fasteners | Standard series parts, painted in-house | Quoted per project |
| Seals | NBR (code NS), −20 °C to +80 °C | Viton (code VS); special seals for −30 °C to +200 °C |
| Fluid | Mineral oil | Other fluids confirmed in the quotation |
Every cylinder is tested for internal and external leakage before dispatch.
Marine and Offshore Use
Salt water is the hardest duty for a rod. Salt dries on the extended rod, the wiper drags it into the rod seal, and pitting starts wherever the surface is damaged. A stainless rod removes that rust risk; the body still needs a marine paint system, and the rod should be retracted or covered when the equipment is idle.
Hatch covers, steering gear, deck cranes and ramps combine salt with long idle periods; see our marine hydraulic cylinders page for these jobs.
Stainless Steel Hydraulic Cylinders – FAQ
Is a stainless steel hydraulic cylinder completely stainless?
Not always, and often it does not need to be: the piston rod is the most exposed part. Fenitsa offers a stainless (SS) rod in the FDH series; stainless tubes, heads and mountings are quoted per project.
Is a stainless rod better than a chrome-plated rod?
For corrosion, yes: the material itself resists rust, so a scratch does not start rust under a coating. For wear and impact, a hard-chromed rod is usually stronger. Fenitsa offers Ck45 with hard chrome ≥ 20 µm (CR), hardened and chrome-plated (HR) and stainless (SS).
What pressure can a stainless steel hydraulic cylinder work at?
The rating of the series it is built on, with the rod sized for the stainless material. The SS rod is an option of the FDH series: 160 bar working, 240 bar test, 250 bar option. Fenitsa confirms rod size and buckling in the quotation.
Are stainless hydraulic cylinders suitable for food processing?
Yes, where washdown makes corroding surfaces a problem, but the rod is only part of the answer: the seals must suit the cleaning chemicals, and the fluid must meet the plant’s rules. Fenitsa catalogue cylinders are specified for mineral oil, so state any other fluid in the enquiry.
What do I need to send for a stainless cylinder quotation?
The environment — washdown, salt spray, immersion or chemical splash, with chemicals and temperatures — then bore, rod, stroke, pressure, mountings, quantity and which parts must be stainless. Fenitsa engineers confirm materials, seals and price in the quotation.
Send Us Your Cylinder Data
Bore, rod, stroke, working pressure, mountings and quantity — or a drawing or photo of the cylinder you want to replace. Our engineers reply with a technical proposal and a quotation. info@fenitsa.com.
Related Pages
- Hydraulic Cylinders — the full Fenitsa hydraulic range.
- Compact Hydraulic Cylinders — short bodies for tight spaces.
- Custom Hydraulic Cylinder Prices — what drives the cost of a special cylinder.
- Cylinder Connection Equipment — rod ends and mountings.
