Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-07-21 Origin: Site
A honed tube is a precision steel tube with a highly finished internal surface. The honing process improves dimensional accuracy and surface roughness, making the tube suitable for hydraulic cylinder barrels.
Typical advantages include:
High dimensional precision
Excellent surface finish
Improved sealing performance
Reduced friction
Longer service life
Honed tubes are commonly manufactured from carbon steel materials such as ST52 and E355.
ST52 is a low-carbon steel grade originally defined under the German DIN standard.
It is widely used for:
Hydraulic cylinder tubes
Mechanical structures
Construction equipment
Industrial machinery
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.22 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.55 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.60 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.045 |
ST52 is known for its excellent weldability and good mechanical strength.
E355 is the modern European steel grade defined under EN 10305 standards.
In many applications, E355 has effectively replaced ST52 as the preferred material for precision steel tubes.
The "355" designation refers to its minimum yield strength of 355 MPa.
E355 is commonly used in:
Hydraulic cylinders
Pneumatic cylinders
Precision engineering
Heavy-duty machinery
Although ST52 and E355 are very similar, they belong to different standards.
| Property | ST52 | E355 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | DIN 2391 | EN 10305 |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 355 MPa | ≥ 355 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 490–630 MPa | 490–630 MPa |
| Weldability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Machinability | Good | Good |
| Hydraulic Applications | Excellent | Excellent |
| Current Market Usage | Common | More Common |
From a mechanical performance perspective, the differences are relatively small.
However, E355 is generally preferred in modern European projects because it complies with current EN standards.
Many engineers notice that some suppliers promote ST52 while others offer E355.
The reason is simple:
ST52 is based on older DIN standards, while E355 is part of the newer European EN standards.
As European regulations evolved, EN standards gradually became the dominant specification for hydraulic cylinder tubes.
Today:
Older drawings may still specify ST52
New projects often specify E355
Many suppliers can provide equivalent materials
For most hydraulic applications, the two materials offer very similar performance.
The answer depends on your project requirements.
Your drawings specify DIN standards
You are replacing existing components
Your customers require ST52 material certification
Your project follows EN standards
You export to European markets
You require compliance with modern specifications
For most hydraulic cylinder applications, both materials provide excellent performance and reliability.
When comparing ST52 and E355, many buyers focus only on material grade.
However, in hydraulic cylinder manufacturing, the quality of the honing process is often more important.
Critical factors include:
Common tolerances:
H8
H9
Typical values:
Ra 0.2–0.4 μm
Maintaining good straightness is essential for cylinder performance.
A poorly honed E355 tube may perform worse than a properly honed ST52 tube.
Both materials are widely used in:
Used as cylinder barrels for smooth piston movement.
Excavators, loaders and cranes.
Tractors, harvesters and hydraulic lifting systems.
Heavy-duty hydraulic systems operating under extreme conditions.
Precision hydraulic and pneumatic equipment.
When purchasing ST52 or E355 honed tubes, consider more than just the material grade.
Look for suppliers that provide:
Stable raw material sourcing
Precision honing equipment
H8/H9 tolerance capability
Surface roughness reports
Material certificates
Export experience
Consistent manufacturing quality is often more important than the difference between ST52 and E355.
The mechanical properties are very similar. Both materials typically provide a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa.
In most hydraulic cylinder applications, E355 can be used as an equivalent replacement, subject to engineering approval.
E355 is generally more common in modern European projects because it complies with EN standards.
Yes. Both are widely used for hydraulic cylinder honed tubes.
If your project follows DIN standards, ST52 may be preferred. For newer EN-standard projects, E355 is usually the better choice.
ST52 and E355 are both excellent materials for honed tubes used in hydraulic cylinders.
While ST52 remains widely used, E355 has become the preferred choice for many modern projects due to its compliance with EN standards.
When selecting between the two materials, buyers should consider project specifications, customer requirements and applicable standards. More importantly, attention should be paid to honing quality, dimensional accuracy and supplier manufacturing capabilities.
If you are looking for high-quality ST52 or E355 honed tubes, ZTU Steel provides precision-manufactured hydraulic cylinder tubes with customized dimensions, strict quality control and worldwide export support.
