Product description:

The piston rod is a connecting component that supports the piston in performing work. It is mostly used in oil cylinders and air cylinders as motion execution components and is a frequently moving and highly technical motion component. Taking the hydraulic cylinder as an example, it is composed of the cylinder barrel, piston rod (oil Cylinder rod), piston, and end cover. The quality of its processing directly affects the lifespan and reliability of the entire product. The processing requirements for the piston rod are high. Its surface roughness should be within the range of Ra0.4 to 0.8 μm, and strict requirements are imposed on coaxiality and wear resistance.

A 1045 piston rod is a high-strength mechanical component widely used in hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic systems, and industrial machinery. It serves as the main force-transmitting element between the piston and the external mechanism, converting hydraulic or pneumatic pressure into controlled linear motion. Made from high-quality AISI 1045 medium carbon steel, this piston rod is known for its excellent strength, toughness, and machinability, making it one of the most popular choices for heavy-duty applications in construction, agriculture, and manufacturing industries.

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Material Characteristics

AISI 1045 steel is a medium carbon steel containing approximately 0.45% carbon and small amounts of manganese. It offers an ideal balance of hardness, ductility, and wear resistance after heat treatment. The steel’s uniform microstructure allows for precise machining and consistent mechanical performance, even under high pressure or continuous motion.

To enhance its performance and lifespan, the surface of a 1045 piston rod is typically treated with hard chrome plating, creating a durable, corrosion-resistant layer that significantly improves surface hardness (up to HRC 60–65) and wear resistance. The rod is then precision ground and mirror-polished, achieving a surface roughness as low as Ra ≤ 0.2 μm to ensure smooth operation and long seal life.

Manufacturing Process

The production of a 1045 piston rod involves multiple precision-engineered steps to guarantee high performance and reliability:

Material Preparation: Select premium-grade 1045 carbon steel bars with consistent mechanical properties.

Heat Treatment: Quenching and tempering improve hardness, tensile strength, and fatigue resistance.

CNC Machining: Both ends are precisely machined for threads, grooves, or customized fittings.

Centerless Grinding: Achieves high dimensional accuracy, roundness, and straightness.

Hard Chrome Plating: A 20–30 μm thick chrome layer provides corrosion and wear protection.

Mirror Polishing: Ensures a smooth, reflective surface that minimizes friction and seal wear.

Quality Testing: Each rod undergoes inspection for straightness, coating thickness, hardness, and dimensional tolerance.

Key Features and Advantages

High Strength and Durability: 1045 steel provides excellent tensile and yield strength for heavy-duty use.

Superior Surface Quality: Chrome plating and mirror polishing ensure smooth motion and minimal friction.

Corrosion and Wear Resistance: Protective coatings prevent rust and surface degradation.

High Dimensional Precision: CNC machining and grinding guarantee tight tolerances.

Fatigue Resistance: Ideal for repetitive motion in hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Cost-Effective Material: Offers an economical balance of performance and affordability.

Production process of the piston rod:

Applications:

The hydraulic cylinder is an energy conversion device that converts hydraulic energy into mechanical energy. It is the core actuating component in the hydraulic system. The hydraulic cylinder uses hydraulic oil to drive the piston to move, converting hydraulic energy into linear reciprocating motion. When the hydraulic oil enters the cylinder barrel, it pushes the piston rod to extend or retract, completing the predetermined action. The direction and speed of its movement are regulated by the hydraulic control system. The hydraulic cylinder consists of a cylinder barrel, cylinder cover, piston and piston rod, sealing device, and buffering device. According to its structure, it can be classified as piston type, plunger type, multi-stage telescopic sleeve type, and gear-rack type. Hydraulic cylinders are widely used in machine tools, construction machinery, vehicles, and other fields, featuring a simple structure and smooth movement.

The 1045 piston rod is widely used across a variety of industries due to its versatility and strength:

Hydraulic cylinders in construction machinery, cranes, and loaders

Pneumatic cylinders in automation and production systems

Agricultural and forestry equipment such as harvesters and tractors

Industrial presses and injection molding machines

Automotive shock absorbers and steering systems

Marine and offshore hydraulic systems

Its ability to maintain strength, accuracy, and corrosion resistance under continuous operation makes it ideal for both light and heavy-duty motion systems.

Company profile:

Since its establishment in 2014, Wuxi Hengxin Zhicheng Co., Ltd. has rapidly grown into a leading enterprise in the steel manufacturing industry. We focus on the research, production and sales of seamless steel pipes, special-shaped steel pipes and hydraulic cylinders, and are committed to providing customers with high-quality, customizable products that fully meet diverse application needs.

Our products are exported to global markets such as the Middle East, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and are highly trusted by large purchasers and customers in the steel industry. We always prioritize quality, reliability and customer service, and attach great importance to establishing long-term and stable cooperative relationships with customers. We provide each customer with tailor-made solutions.

We continuously promote technological innovation and improve service capabilities and production efficiency. Through an efficient online platform, you can browse our best-selling products at any time and communicate with the sales and support teams in real time to conveniently obtain the information you need. We sincerely invite partners from all countries to visit, exchange and provide guidance, and jointly explore more possible cooperation opportunities!

Certification:

Packaging and Transportation:

【Package standard】

We use steel bands to tightly package the products into hexagonal bundles. The structure is stable and not prone to deformation. Each bundle is equipped with two high-strength nylon straps to ensure the safety and convenience of the lifting operation.

To meet various maritime transportation needs, we offer a range of customized packaging options, including full coverage with oilcloth, moisture-proof wooden boxes, and high-strength protective frame packaging, to ensure the maximum safety of goods during transportation.

【Guarantee for transportation】

We offer 20-foot and 40-foot standard container transportation services. Each container can carry up to 25 tons of goods and we can accept trial orders with a minimum of 5 tons. This allows for flexible adaptation to your purchasing scale. All packaging complies with maritime shipping standards to ensure that the goods are delivered to the destination efficiently and safely.

Why us?

We focus on the research, development, production and sales of seamless steel pipes, special-shaped steel pipes and hydraulic cylinders. We have a complete production chain and an advanced equipment system, including piercing machines, cold drawing machines, hot rolling machines, high-precision flaw detection and testing equipment. The company has passed multiple authoritative certifications such as ISO9001, API, SGS, CCS, DNV, ABS, CE, RoHS, etc., ensuring that each product complies with international standards. We are committed to providing customers with high-quality, customizable solutions to meet diverse application needs.

Relying on our own built processing base and modern workshops, combined with multiple branches and storage centers across the country, we have achieved sufficient inventory and efficient logistics coordination, significantly shortening the delivery cycle and ensuring the rapid delivery of orders.

We have established a complete service and support system. After the order is signed, the professional after-sales team can provide timely and safe on-site guidance and technical support to ensure that customers are at ease throughout the process from procurement to use.

FAQ：

1. Do you support customized design and production?

Sure. We have a professional engineering team that can conduct customized design and production with special sizes, control systems or OEM according to your requirements.

2. How fast can you deliver?

In stock sizes, it takes 3-5 days. For customized sizes, it takes 30-35 days.

3. What payment methods do you support?

We support TT payment. Generally, 30% to 50% of the payment is made in advance, and the remaining amount is paid before shipment.

4. Can you provide material certification (MTC)?

Yes, we will provide MTC to you after production is completed to ensure that the material quality meets the standards.

5. What is the minimum order quantity?

Generally, we accept trial orders. The minimum order quantity is 1-3 tons, which can be determined according to different products.