Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-07-30 Origin: Site
When manufacturing hydraulic cylinders, choosing the right cylinder barrel tube is one of the most important decisions affecting performance, durability and operating efficiency.
Two common types of precision hydraulic cylinder tubes are:
Honed Tube
Skived and Roller Burnished Tube (SRB Tube)
Both are widely used in hydraulic cylinder manufacturing and can provide excellent internal surface quality. However, there are differences in manufacturing process, surface finish, dimensional accuracy and suitable applications.
In this article, we will explain the differences between honed tubes and skived and roller burnished tubes to help hydraulic cylinder manufacturers choose the right solution.
A honed tube is a precision steel tube that has been processed through a honing operation to improve the internal surface quality.
The honing process uses abrasive stones to remove small amounts of material from the inner diameter of the tube. This creates a smooth, accurate and uniform surface.
Honed tubes are commonly manufactured from:
ST52
E355
SAE1020
CK45
and are widely used as hydraulic cylinder barrels.
High internal diameter accuracy
Excellent surface finish
Low friction performance
Good sealing performance
Suitable for precision hydraulic systems
Typical specifications:
Tolerance: H8 / H9
Surface roughness: Ra 0.2–0.4 μm
A skived and roller burnished tube, also known as an SRB tube, is produced through a two-step machining process:
Skiving
Roller Burnishing
During skiving, a cutting tool removes material from the inner surface of the tube.
After that, roller burnishing uses hardened rollers to compress and smooth the surface, improving hardness and surface finish.
SRB tubes are commonly used for hydraulic cylinder applications requiring high productivity and good surface performance.
| Process | Honed Tube | SRB Tube |
|---|---|---|
| First Operation | Honing with abrasive stones | Skiving with cutting tools |
| Second Operation | No additional process | Roller burnishing |
| Material Removal | Small amount | Larger amount |
| Surface Improvement | Grinding effect | Cutting + surface compression |
| Production Speed | Medium | Faster |
The main difference is:
Honing improves the surface through precision grinding, while SRB improves the surface through cutting and roller compression.
Surface roughness is critical for hydraulic cylinder performance.
A smoother internal surface helps:
Reduce piston seal wear
Improve sealing performance
Reduce hydraulic leakage
Extend cylinder service life
Typical values:
| Specification | Honed Tube | SRB Tube |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Roughness | Ra 0.2–0.4 μm | Ra 0.2–0.8 μm |
| Surface Uniformity | Excellent | Very Good |
| Seal Compatibility | Excellent | Excellent |
For high-precision hydraulic applications, honed tubes usually provide more consistent surface quality.
Hydraulic cylinders require precise internal dimensions to ensure proper piston movement.
| Property | Honed Tube | SRB Tube |
|---|---|---|
| ID Tolerance | H8/H9 | H8/H9 |
| Roundness | Excellent | Very Good |
| Straightness | Excellent | Very Good |
Both tube types can meet hydraulic cylinder requirements when manufactured correctly.
The honing process creates a cross-hatch surface pattern that helps retain hydraulic oil and improve lubrication.
Honed tubes are commonly used in applications requiring:
High accuracy
Smooth piston movement
Low leakage
Long service life
Examples:
Industrial hydraulic cylinders
Servo hydraulic systems
Precision machinery
Honed tubes can be produced in various sizes and customized according to customer requirements.
SRB processing is generally faster than traditional honing, making it suitable for larger-volume production.
The roller burnishing process creates compressive stress on the surface, which can improve wear resistance.
For standard hydraulic cylinder applications, SRB tubes can offer a competitive cost solution.
The best choice depends on your application requirements.
High precision is required
Surface finish is critical
Hydraulic cylinder performance is a priority
Long service life is required
The application involves demanding working conditions
Typical applications:
Industrial hydraulic cylinders
Mining equipment
Precision machinery
Heavy-duty hydraulic systems
Large production quantity is required
Cost efficiency is important
Standard hydraulic cylinders are produced
Faster manufacturing is needed
Typical applications:
General construction machinery
Agricultural equipment
Standard hydraulic cylinders
There is no universal answer.
Both honed tubes and SRB tubes are excellent choices for hydraulic cylinder manufacturing.
However, the final performance depends on:
Steel material quality
Tube manufacturing process
Internal surface quality
Dimensional accuracy
Quality control standards
A high-quality honed tube will provide excellent precision and durability, while a properly manufactured SRB tube can provide reliable performance and cost advantages.
When purchasing honed tubes or SRB tubes, buyers should consider:
Ensure the supplier can provide:
Chemical composition
Mechanical properties
EN10204 3.1 certificates
Check whether the supplier has:
Honing equipment
SRB production capability
Inspection facilities
Important inspection items include:
Internal diameter measurement
Surface roughness testing
Straightness inspection
Hardness testing
A supplier with international export experience understands:
Packaging requirements
Shipping standards
Customer specifications
Honed tubes are processed by abrasive honing, while SRB tubes are produced through skiving and roller burnishing. Both provide precision internal surfaces for hydraulic cylinders.
Honed tubes usually provide better surface consistency and are preferred for high-precision hydraulic applications. SRB tubes offer higher production efficiency and cost advantages.
Yes. Both can be manufactured using materials such as ST52, E355 and SAE1020.
The choice depends on application requirements. Precision hydraulic systems often prefer honed tubes, while standard cylinders may use SRB tubes.
Most hydraulic cylinder tubes require approximately Ra 0.2–0.8 μm depending on design requirements.
Honed tubes and skived and roller burnished tubes are both widely used solutions for hydraulic cylinder manufacturing.
Honed tubes provide excellent surface finish, dimensional accuracy and reliability, making them ideal for precision hydraulic applications.
SRB tubes provide efficient production and competitive costs, making them suitable for high-volume standard hydraulic cylinders.
When selecting between honed tubes and SRB tubes, manufacturers should consider application requirements, performance expectations and total production costs.
ZTU Steel supplies precision honed tubes and hydraulic cylinder tubes manufactured according to international standards, providing reliable solutions for hydraulic cylinder manufacturers worldwide.
