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Hydraulic Cylinder Customizations

Any hydraulic cylinder design is possible with our extensive network of cylinder manufacturers. Every part of the cylinder can be customized including the material, type, medium, size, sealing, rod coating, mounting, ports, sensors, paint, cushioning, and load-holding options.

Generations of European Craftsmanship and Manufacturing

Anyone can sell you a part. As a distributor, we offer more than just cylinders.

Our roots run deep in hydraulic manufacturing. Our President, Ben Hunger, comes from the family business behind some of the world’s largest hydraulic cylinders. The founder of IC-Fluid Power, Armin Hunger, established the company to bring German precision and quality to the U.S. market. He built strong, lasting partnerships with European manufacturers, many of whom we still work with today. Through these connections, we provide access to European partners with over 100 years of expertise in premium cylinder manufacturing.

The right material determines the cylinder’s strength and lifespan. Choose from standard steels for general use, stainless steels for corrosion resistance, or lightweight alternatives like aluminum and carbon hybrids for mobile or specialized applications.

This is just a sampling of the common materials we use, but any specialty material is possible.

Material	Types	Common Examples
Standard Steels	Alloy steel Carbon steel	AISI 1026, AISI 1045 SAE 1045
Stainless Steels	Austenitic steel Martensitic steel Duplex steel	AISI 304, AISI 306 AISI 420 ASTM A182 F51
Specialty Steels	High strength, low-alloy steels; Nickel-chromium alloys; Fine-grade, proprietary grade steel	ASTM 4140, ASTM 1045, ASTM 4135
Non-ferrous	Aluminum, Carbon fiber hybrid*	–

*The main body is made of carbon fiber with the remaining components made from steel, such as the listed steels above.

Choose a single-rod style for standard linear motion, a double-rod style for equal force in both directions, or a telescopic version when space is limited but stroke length is long. Tie-rod and welded cylinders differ in how they’re built. (Tie rods use long threaded rods to essentially sandwich the cylinders body together, while on welded cylinders the body components are welded together.)

Cylinder Type	Best Used For…	Application Example
Single rod	Standard linear motion, force in one direction	General equipment
Double rod	Balanced force in both directions	Test rigs, medium to highly dynamic applications
Telescopic	Long strokes	Dump trucks, mobile lifting
Tie rod	Modular builds, low cost	Factory automation, light to medium duty applications
Welded	High pressure, durability, rigidity	Industrial, heavy-duty applications; and mobile

Single or Double-Acting Cylinders

Hydraulic cylinders are available as single or double-acting:

Single-acting cylinders use hydraulic fluid for movement in one direction that returns by gravity via dead weight or a spring.

Useful when automation return is needed for safety if pressure is lost
Standard applications

Double-acting cylinders use hydraulic fluid in both directions.

Useful when you need both forces to be equal
High speeds and high frequency applications
Useful for when a load needs to be attached to both cylinder ends (rare)

We offer a wide range of media for applications, selected based on the required viscosity, thermal stability, oxidation resistance, lubricity, and water tolerance.

This is just a sampling of the common medium we use, but any medium can be requested.

Mediums	Medium Description	Common Types or Examples
Pneumatic	Compressible gases common in fast, lightweight actuation applications	Air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide
Mineral oils	Standard fluids with additives for anti-wear, oxidation, shock resistance, etc.	H, HL, HLP, HLPD, HVLP, HLVPD, HH, HM, HR HV, HS, HG
Fire-resistant fluids	Water-based fluids (water-glycol or emulsions) and synthetic fluids common for flammable jobs (metalworking, mining, and foundry)	HFAE, HFAS, HFB, HFC, HFDR, HFDU
Biodegradable oils	Synthetic esters, plant oils, or polyglycols common for agriculture, forestry, and sensitive ecosystems	HTEG, HEES, HEPR, AND HEPG
Specialty fluids	Application-specific fluids, unique requirements for extreme temperatures and industry standards (military, aviation, automotive, etc.)	Skydrol (aviation), MIL-H (military), DOT brake fluids (automotive), silicone oils

Cylinder Sizes for Every Applications

Our hydraulic cylinders cover a full spectrum of sizes, from compact actuators to massive industrial units. With bore sizes ranging from 0.5 inches to 144 inches, there are virtually no size limitations we can’t handle.

Tell us about your application, and we will help you find the perfect seal. With over 60 sealing configuration types, IC-Fluid Power can provide any solution for your application. We make patented and standard seals for low friction, side loading, high pressures, rotation, fast/slow movement, stroke amplitude, and medium compatibility.

IC-Fluid Power’s Extensive Sealing Portfolio and Capabilities

Unique catalog of 9 patented sealing and guiding mechanisms, plus 50+ standard and specialty solutions
European-made industrial sealing capabilities
Sealing solutions adaptable to your operation conditions (pressure, temperature, fluid type, dynamic requirements)
Wide material selection including polyurethane, NBR, HNBR, Viton, bronze-filled PTFE, virgin PTFE, polyacetal, and more
Special coatings and advanced composite design for harsh environments

Standard Sealing Options

Not every application needs a specialty seal. Standard sealing options offer high performance for most cylinders. A common setup uses a lip seal together with a wiper ring to keep contaminants out and maintain sealing integrity. Static seals stop leakage at fixed interfaces, while dynamic seals control fluid between moving parts such as the piston and rod.

Dynamic Seals

Element / Seal Location	Common Types / Examples
Piston seals	U-cup seals, T-seals, rectangular seals with elastomer, PTFE-backed seals, throttle gap seals, V-packings
Rod seals	Lip seals, U-cup seals, fabric-reinforced rubber seals, PTFE composite seals, polyurethane seals with O-ring energizers, V-packings
Wiper seals	Rubber scrapers, polyurethane wipers
Buffer seals	Polyurethane or rubber buffer rings
Guiding systems	PTFE rings, composite guide rings, metallic guides

Static Seals

Element / Seal Location	Common Types / Examples
O-rings	Nitrile (NBR), FKM, EPDM O-rings
Backup/support rings	Polyurethane buffer rings
Static seal rings	D-rings, flat gaskets

Rod coatings protect piston rods from things like wear, corrosion, micro-scoring, and more to extend the service life of the cylinder. We offer standard surface treatments, such as classic nitriding and hard chrome plating. For large piston rods exposed to abrasive conditions, we also offer specialized coatings well suited for hydromechanical, chemical, offshore, and subsea environments.

Corrosion Protection	Coating Type	Coating Technology	Best used for…
Standard	Nitriding	Hardens the surface by diffusing nitrogen into the steel to improve wear and corrosion resistance	General machine and industrial applications
Standard	Hard chrome plating	Basic coating carried out by electroplating in single or multiple layers	General machine and industrial applications
Specialty	Ceramic coating	Thermal sprayed, metal-oxide finish using a nickel-chromium base with a ceramic top layer for hardness	Machine and hydromechanical engineering, casting, printing, chemical; for large rods up to 59 in (1500 mm) Ø and 20 m long
Specialty	Plasma Transfer Arc (PTA) coating or laser cladding	Welded stainless steel layers coating for offshore corrosive saltwater environment; protects carbon steel under submerged or splash zone conditions	Offshore, marine, and subsea applications; up to 23 in (600 mm) Ø and 25 m long

We support a full range of cylinder mounting types from standard flange fittings to trunnion and pivot designs.

Cylinder Body Mounting

Each configuration below is described by movement range, alignment, and load type. Our cylinder manufacturers can adapt these mountings for special dimensions or retrofit use.

Cylinder Body	Cylinder Body Image	Degrees of Freedom	Typical Force Direction
Basic mounting		Fixed	Center load
Threaded holes (cap side)		Fixed	Center load
Side lugs (welded/bolted)		Fixed	Off-center load
Circular flange (head/cap)		Fixed	Center
Circular flange (cylinder body)		Fixed	Axial load
Intermediate flange		Fixed	Axial load
Pivot mount with spherical bearing		2º of freedom	Pivoting loads
Pivot mount with plain eye		1º of freedom	Pivoting loads
Intermediate trunnion		1º of freedom	Pivoting loads

Piston Rod End Mounting

Piston rod ends differ in their fixation and mounting types.

Fixation Types

Each fixation type refers to the way the piston rod is mechanically connected or threaded for attachment to external components. The chosen fixation determines how forces are transmitted and how the rod end can be mounted.

Piston Rod Mounting Type	Mounting Image
Hook wrench
Wrench flat (surface)
Hexagon
Without specified mounting

Available Mounting Types

Each mounting type defines how the piston rod end is held during installation and maintenance for a secure connection.

Fixation Type	Fixation Image	Available Mounting Types
External (male) thread		Hook wrench, wrench flat, hexagon, without specified mounting type
External (female) thread		Hook wrench, without specified mounting type
Flange rod end		Hook wrench, without specified mounting type
Smooth (plain) end		Hook wrench, wrench flat, hexagon, without specified mounting type
Hole circle		Hook wrench, wrench flat, hexagon, without specified mounting type

We offer a complete range of hydraulic port configurations and accessories. Our engineering team designs custom valve plates and adapter interfaces to match specific control valve standards, pressure ratings, and flow requirements.

Port Configurations for Screw Fittings

	Head Side	Cap Side
Ports	SAE. NPT, metric, BSP	SAE. NPT, metric, BSP
Types	Straight, tapered, ORFS, ORB, metal seal, flange	Straight, tapered, ORFS, ORB, metal seal, flange
Positions	Radial, piped, mounting plate. custom	Axial or radial, piped, flanged, mounting plate, custom

Screw Fitting Accessories

An adapter, air filter, or test point can be installed on either side of the cylinder (left or right port). Test points include industry-standard M16x2 test points, which can be used for air bleeding, pressure testing, and other diagnostics.

Thread types available for air filters:

G 1/8 (M10x1)
G 1/4 (M12x1.5)
G 3/8 (M18x1.5)
G 1/2 (M22x1.5)
G 3/4 (M27x2)
G 1 (M33x2)

Mounting Plates for Valves or Threaded Fittings

We can build a mounting plate for direct installation of servo valves or directional control valves onto the cylinder head, minimizing pressure losses, and improving hydraulic response. The correct mounting surface is selected based on flow capacity, valve type, and application-specific requirements. Hydraulic oil connections are the same as the ports previously described.

The chart below features commonly used port types, but any can be made.

Mounting Surface	ISO	DIN	Maximum Flow Rate	Servo Valve Example
–	ISO 10372-01	–	5 gpm (18 lpm)	Domin S4 Pro, Moog 30, Moog 260, HR Textron 27A
	ISO 4401-03	DIN 24340-A6	10 gpm (40 lpm)	NG 6, Domin S6 Pro
	ISO 4401-05	DIN 24340-A10	26 gpm (100 lpm)	NG 10, Domin S10 Pro
	ISO 4401-05 with T2	DIN 24340-A10 with T2	42 gpm (160 lpm)	NG 10, Domin S10 Pro
	ISO 10372-04	–	15 gpm (60 lpm)	Moog 76
	ISO 10372-06	–	66 gpm (250 lpm)	Moog 72, Moog 791

How IC-Fluid Power’s Ports and Valve Plates Lead the Industry

IC-Fluid Power’s hydraulic ports and accessories comply with ISO and DIN standards commonly used for servo valves and pressure control systems.
Valve plate manufacturing follows proprietary standards from popular brands such as Domin, Moog, Bosch Rexroth, Atos, Parker, MTS, and HR Textron.
For automotive and aerospace applications needing lightweight solutions, we can custom machine in high-strength steel or anodized aluminum.
Our expertise in valve technology can be seen through our partnership with Domin Servo Valves, the most efficient and high-performing valves in today’s market. Learn more about Domin Servo Valves.

Sensors can be added for automation to measure and monitor critical changes in the system. These sensor integrations connect smoothly with automation platforms using Industry 4.0 standards. This allows for real-time data monitoring, predictive maintenance, and closed-loop control, which all contribute to better system reliability and performance.

Popular sensor options for traditional and Industry 4.0 compatible systems can be found in the list below:

Proximity switches measure precise end-of-stroke position to detect stroke limits and confirm end position
Position/stroke sensors measure piston rod position to provide feedback and enable closed-loop control
Temperature sensors measure fluid, cylinder, or surface temperatures for monitoring and to prevent overheating
Pressure sensors measure hydraulic pressure in chamber or line to prevent overloads
Force transducers measure axial force to monitor the applied load and verify test parameters

As a primary distributor for many international cylinder manufacturers, IC-Fluid Power is capable of several different painting options from single acrylic coatings for standard cylinders to advanced multi-layer epoxies and urethanes made for offshore and military coatings.

Standard Options

Cylinders can be left unpainted with or without temporary transportation and storage corrosion protection (VCI, wax, silane, phosphate, grease)
Primer only (acrylic, epoxy, or other as specified)
Base coatings use 1k synthetic epoxy or acrylic paints for general environmental resistance

Specialty Options

Specialized coatings include robust 2K epoxy systems.* These offer high adhesion and chemical resistance suited for offshore, mining, and industrial conditions. This durable coating is used to withstand intensive mechanical and chemical stress while offering exceptional coverage and scratch resistance.
Military-grade coatings meet specific defense or government requirements and are provided upon request.
Offshore coatings use multi-layer epoxy or polyurethane systems to withstand saltwater exposure and harsh marine exposure.

*For customized cylinders made from Germany, our Hänchen cylinders are finished with a 2K polyurethane structural paint (silicone-free) in RAL 9006, white aluminum semi-gloss.

Cushioning is added to gradually slow the piston as it nears the end of its stroke, protecting the cylinder and connected equipment from impact damage and excessive shock loads.

Our hydraulic cylinders can be equipped with standard or advanced cushioning systems with customized orifices.

IC-Fluid Power’s Advanced End-Cushioning Options

Cushioning can be either added in the cap/head and the bottom. The following characteristics that can be customized:

Cushion spear length
Needle valve size and adjustment per flow rate
Cavity shape and size
Cushion design (tapered or orifice)
Cushioning profile (single stage or multi-stage with multiple adjustable needle valves, orifices, or other custom-led designs to meet application requirements)
Cushion material
Reverse stroke
Check valve (bypass valve)

We offer rod-locks (Ratio Clamp®) as an optional feature for standard and custom hydraulic cylinders providing added security and functionality.

The Ratio Clamp® is a patented hydraulic clamping device that instantly locks piston rods or round rods, holding loads up to 2,000 kN. This device incorporates a spring force that clamps the rod securely in place without continuous energy, releasing only when hydraulic pressure is applied. Since these rod locks are mechanically locking and hydraulically unlocking, they also can be used as a safety device. This is an easy way to hold a cylinder in position indefinitely while not requiring any input from your HPU (saves money too!).

Learn more about the Hänchen Ratio-Clamp®

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