Piston Rods
Piston rods made of peeled bright steel are critical components in hydraulic cylinders. Within GMH Gruppe, production is carried out from a single source through a fully integrated process chain, from steel production to the ready-to-install, hard chrome-plated component.
The tested bright steel is peeled, ground and polished to achieve tight dimensional tolerances and excellent surface quality. After belt polishing, the surface is refined by electroplating with hard chrome plating. In addition to standard hard chrome-plated piston rods, further surface treatment processes are available, including nitriding and additional electroplated coatings.
Manufacturing Process
We manufacture piston rods in a multi-stage process designed for high dimensional accuracy, an excellent surface finish and reliable performance in hydraulic applications:
- Peeling
- In-process testing (identity, surface, ultrasonic)
- Grinding
- Belt polishing
- Electroplating (hard chrome plating)
This process chain enables the production of piston rods with high surface quality and tight dimensional tolerances.
Your contact for Piston Rods
We manufacture all our products to customer specifications. So what are your specifications?
Please feel free to contact us. Together we will find your perfectly customized solution.
Mario Griesmaier
Senior Sales Manager Piston and connecting rods & CNC components
Qualitätsprüfung
Quality Inspection
Before delivery, each piston rod undergoes defined inspection procedures to verify material integrity and product conformity:
- Inspection Methods
- Identity verification
- Surface crack detection
- Ultrasonic testing (phased array technology)
Inspection certificates in accordance with DIN EN 10204 are available on request:
- Test Report 2.2
- Inspection Certificate 3.1
- Inspection Certificate 3.2
Your contact for Piston Rods
We manufacture all our products to customer specifications. So what are your specifications?
Please feel free to contact us. Together we will find your perfectly customized solution.
Mario Griesmaier
Senior Sales Manager Piston and connecting rods & CNC components
Applications
Hard chrome-plated piston rods are used in hydraulic cylinders wherever high load capacity, wear resistance, corrosion protection, and reliable motion transmission are required. Typical fields of application include:
- Construction machinery and special vehicles: Hydraulic cylinders for excavators, loaders, cranes, lifting platforms, and special-purpose vehicles operating under demanding environmental conditions.
- Mechanical and plant engineering: Hydraulic drive and positioning systems in industrial machinery, presses, production equipment, and automated systems.
- Food industry: Hydraulic equipment used in processing, filling, packaging, and handling systems where high surface quality is required.
- Energy industry: Hydraulic cylinders in conventional and renewable energy sectors, including power generation, infrastructure, and energy-related machinery.
- Shipbuilding and marine technology: Hydraulic systems in shipbuilding, marine equipment, lifting systems, and offshore applications exposed to demanding operating environments.
- Material handling and railway technology: Hydraulic components for forklifts, material handling systems, rail vehicles, maintenance equipment, and railway infrastructure applications.
Your contact for Piston Rods
We manufacture all our products to customer specifications. So what are your specifications?
Please feel free to contact us. Together we will find your perfectly customized solution.
Mario Griesmaier
Senior Sales Manager Piston and connecting rods & CNC components
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a piston rod?
A piston rod is the load-bearing rod that transmits force between the piston and the working element in a hydraulic cylinder. It has to combine high strength, tight dimensional tolerances and a wear- and corrosion-resistant surface, which is why piston rods are typically produced from high-quality bright steel and hard chrome-plated.
What is a hard chrome-plated piston rod?
A hard chrome-plated piston rod is a piston rod with an electroplated chromium surface layer designed to improve wear resistance, corrosion protection, and surface durability in hydraulic cylinder applications.
Which material grades are available for piston rods?
The standard piston rod portfolio includes:
- C45 (material no. 1.1191)
- 20MnV6 (material no. 1.5217)
- 42CrMo4 (material no. 1.7225)
Each material is available in different heat treatment conditions:
- +U (untreated)
- +QT (quenched and tempered)
- +IH (induction surface hardened)
The right grade and condition depend on the hydraulic application and its performance requirements.
What diameter range is available for piston rods?
The standard diameter range is Ø 18–120 mm (round); available diameters include Ø 30 mm and Ø 40 mm. For 20MnV6, the range begins at Ø 20 mm. Customer-specific dimensions can be manufactured on request.
Are piston rods made of 20MnV6 or 42CrMo4 available?
Yes. 20MnV6 and 42CrMo4 are listed in the piston rod portfolio. 42CrMo4 is listed in +U, +QT and +IH conditions.
Are piston rods available as custom-made products?
Yes. All piston rods are manufactured on an order-specific basis. Dimensions, material grade, heat treatment condition and surface treatment can all be specified individually to suit your hydraulic system.
Which surface treatments are available for piston rods?
Hard chrome plating (electroplated) is the standard surface treatment. In addition, nitriding and further electroplated coatings are available. The right surface treatment depends on the operating conditions and performance requirements of the hydraulic system.
Which certified management systems apply to piston rod manufacturing?
Piston rods are manufactured within certified management systems, including:
- IATF 16949:2016 – Quality Management System for the automotive industry
- ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management System
These certifications ensure that defined requirements for quality assurance and environmental management are systematically implemented throughout the manufacturing process.
Your contact for Piston Rods
We manufacture all our products to customer specifications. So what are your specifications?
Please feel free to contact us. Together we will find your perfectly customized solution.
Mario Griesmaier
Senior Sales Manager Piston and connecting rods & CNC components
Further processing possibilities
Heat treatment
Quenched and tempered
(+QT)
Stress-relieving annealed
(+SR)
Induction surface hardening
(+IH)
Further heat treatment possible
Mechanical processing options
Drilling
Turning
Milling
Chip-removing machining
Surface treatment
Chrome plating
What you can expect
Raw material recycling
We use almost 100% scrap in our low-CO2 steel production, thereby enabling closed loops
High vertical integration
Piston rods with added value from a single source, even with smaller batch sizes
Excellence
Many years of expertise in the field of (chrome-plated) piston rods with high quality standards