Parker Air Cylinder Modifications for Use with Different Fluids and High/Low Temperature Applications
Special seals are required for use with some of Parker's pneumatic cylinders. This page describes these specialized seals and their applications, as well as the temperature range in which they are recommended.
Water Service/Warranty: 4ML series cylinders can be modified to be more suitable for use with water in pressures up to 400 psi. Chrome-plated 17-4 PH stainless steel piston rods are recommended to prevent corrosion. Parker Hannifin will warrant cylinders modified for water or high water content fluid service to be free of defects in materials or workmanship - however, they do not accept responsibility for premature failure due to excessive wear from lack of lubricity or a failure caused by corrosion, electrolysis or mineral deposits within the cylinder.
Standard Series (Class 1)
Provided in pneumatic cylinders as standard unless otherwise specified.
Compatible Fluid Examples: Air, nitrogen, mineral base hydraulic oil, MIL-H-5606
Temperature Range: -10°F to 165°F (-23°C to 74°C)
Materials: Nitrile, Buna-N enhanced polyurethane, polymyte, PTFE, filled PTFE
Water Base Fluid Seals (Class 2)
For water base fluids except High Water Content Fluids (use Class 6).
Compatible Fluid Examples: Water, water-glycol, water-in emulsion, Houghto-Safe 27, 620, 5040, Mobil Pyrogard D, Shell Irus 905, Ucon Hydrolube J-4
Materials: Nitrile. Polymyte or PTFE back-up washer in lipseal and nitrile back-up washers in O-rings when required
Temperature Range: -10°F to 165°F (-23°C to 74°C)
Ethylene Propylene (EPR) Seals (Class 3)
For use with phosphate ester fluids. Not compatible with mineral base hydraulic oil or greases - even limited exposure to these fluids will cause severe swelling.
Compatible Fluid Examples: Skydrol 500 and 700
Materials: Ethylene propylene. PTFE back-up washer in lipseal and EPR back-up washers in O-rings when required. Note: PTFE back-up washer may not be suitable in used in a radiation environment.
Temperature Range: -10°F to 130°F (-23°C to 54°C)
Low Temperature Nitrile Seals (Class 4)
For low temperature service in applications that would otherwise use Class 1 seals.
Compatible Fluid Examples: Air, nitrogen, mineral base hydraulic oil, MIL-H-5606
Materials: Nitrile. Leather, polymyre or PTFE back-up washer in lipseal and nitrile back-up washers in O-rings when required.
Temperature Range: -50°F to 150°F (-46°C to 66°C)
Fluorocarbon Seals (Class 5)
For elevated temperature service and some phosphate ester fluids.
Compatible Fluid Examples: Houghto-Safe 1010, 1055, 1120; Fyrquel 150, 220, 300, 350; Mobil Pyrogard 42, 43, 53, 55 and standard service fluids. Not suitable for use with Skydrol fluid.
Materials: Fluorocarbon. PTFE back-up washer in lipseal and fluorocarbon back-up washers in O-rings when required.
Temperature Range: -10°F to 250°F (-23°C to 121°C). Class 5 seals may be operated to 400°F (204°C) with limited service life - for temperatures above 250°F, cylinder must be manufactured with non-studded piston rod and thread and a pinned piston to rod connection.
Note: Cylinders specified for use with Class 5 seals are assembled with anaerobic adhesive with a maximum temperature rating of 240°F. Cylinders using other classes of seals are assembled with anaerobic adhesive with a maximum operating temperature rating of 165°F. These temperature limitations are in place to prevent the loosening of threaded connections. Cylinders manufactured with Class 1 nitrile seals in environments where temperatures may exceed 165°F must be modified for higher temperature service.
Available Pneumatic Cylinder Styles
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Tie Rod Cylinders | ![]() |
Guided Cylinders |
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Round Body Cylinders | ![]() |
Rodless Cylinders |
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Compact Cylinders |
Engineering & Product Selection Information
Pneumatic Product Selection
- Pneumatic Actuators & Air Cylinders
- Pneumatic Cylinders
- Automation Products: rotary actuators, grippers, slide tables, rotary tables, escapement
- Actuator Accessories: Linear alignment couplers, flow controls, air oil tanks, rodlocks, electronic sensors, shock absorbers
Application Engineering Data
- Operating Principles and Construction
- Fluids and Temperature
- Push and Pull Forces
- Mounting Information
- Ports
- Tie Rod Supports, Stroke Data & Stroke Adjusters
- Mounting Classes
- Stop Tubing
- Stroke Selection Chart
- Deceleration Force and Air Requirements
- Cushion Ratings and Air Requirements
- NFPA Rod End Data and Piston Rods
- Modifications, Special Assemblies, Tandem Cylinders, Duplex Cylinders
- Rotary Actuator Torque Requirements
- Rotary Actuator Basic Equations
- Conversion Factors
