Hydraulic guide rings, also known as wear rings, guide rings or guiding rings, support and guide the piston and piston rod inside a hydraulic cylinder. They absorb lateral forces acting on the cylinder and help prevent direct metal-to-metal contact between moving components.
Without proper guidance, the rod or piston can run out of alignment, causing wear to the cylinder bore and increased loads on the seals. Techniparts supplies hydraulic guide rings in different brands, materials and dimensions, in both metric and inch sizes.
A hydraulic guide ring is a preformed sliding and guiding element installed in a groove on the piston or in the cylinder head. The ring absorbs radial loads and keeps moving components centred.
This helps prevent the piston from contacting the cylinder wall or the piston rod from contacting the cylinder head. As a result, wear on metal components is reduced and the surrounding seals are protected against uneven loading.
Hydraulic cylinders are not always loaded exclusively in the axial direction. Construction tolerances, clearance or external forces can generate lateral loads. The guide ring absorbs a large part of these forces so that the seals do not have to perform this mechanical guiding function.
Hydraulic guide rings can be used to guide either the piston rod or the piston. These versions are not automatically interchangeable because the running diameter, fit and installation position are different.
A rod guide ring is installed in the cylinder head. The inner surface of the ring runs along the moving piston rod and supports it against lateral loading.
A piston guide ring is installed on the piston. Its outer surface runs along the cylinder bore and helps keep the piston centred inside the cylinder.
A guide ring and guide strip perform the same basic function but differ in design and installation.
A guide ring has a fixed diameter and width and is supplied ready-made for a specific groove size. No cutting operation is required before installation.
A hydraulic guide strip is selected according to its width and thickness and is then cut to the required length. This provides additional flexibility for unusual or large diameters.
The material of a hydraulic guide ring determines important properties such as load capacity, friction, wear resistance, temperature resistance and chemical resistance.
Phenolic fabric, also known under names such as Novotext, Celeron, Ferrozel or Tufnol, offers a high load-bearing capacity and is suitable for applications with heavy lateral loads.
POM combines good wear resistance with dimensional stability and easy installation. It is widely used in medium-duty hydraulic applications.
PTFE, optionally filled with bronze or graphite, offers very low friction and good chemical resistance. It can be suitable for higher sliding speeds or applications where stick-slip should be minimised.
UHMW-PE combines low friction with good wear resistance. Its temperature range is generally more limited than that of PTFE, so the operating conditions should be checked carefully.
The correct hydraulic guide ring is not selected on dimensions alone. Lateral load, sliding speed and temperature are also important selection criteria.
Applications such as excavators, cranes and lifting equipment can generate high lateral forces. A material with a high load-bearing capacity is particularly important in these situations.
At higher movement speeds and lower lateral loads, low friction may become more important. PTFE guide rings can offer advantages in these applications.
In addition to oil temperature, consider ambient temperature, moisture and frost. Materials that absorb moisture can experience dimensional changes under certain operating conditions.
Many hydraulic guide rings have a visible joint or cut. This gap is intentionally included in the design and is not a manufacturing defect.
The joint provides room for the material to expand as a result of temperature changes or moisture absorption. Without sufficient clearance, the ends may press against each other and cause the guide ring to bind.
Depending on the design, a guide ring may have a straight or angled cut. The correct design depends on the guide-ring profile and its application.
The guiding elements and seals inside a hydraulic cylinder function as one complete system. When a guide ring is worn, the piston or piston rod can move out of alignment.
This can cause a hydraulic rod seal to be subjected to greater loading on one side, resulting in accelerated or uneven wear.
The same applies to a hydraulic piston seal. If leakage repeatedly occurs, both the sealing elements and the guiding components should therefore be inspected.
Three main dimensions are generally required when selecting a preformed hydraulic guide ring.
The outside diameter (D) is the maximum outside dimension of the guide ring.
The inside diameter (d) is the internal dimension of the ring. Which diameter forms the actual running surface depends on whether the ring is used for piston-rod or piston guidance.
The width (b) is measured in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder and must correspond with the available groove width.
When requesting a guide ring, always specify whether it is intended for piston-rod or piston guidance, as the required fit and tolerances differ.
A guide ring should be inspected during a cylinder overhaul or whenever signs of lateral play, misalignment or uneven seal wear become visible.
Wear can gradually reduce the material thickness. This gives the piston or piston rod increasing freedom of movement inside the cylinder.
If seals repeatedly fail on the same side or noticeable piston-rod play is present, this may indicate a worn guide ring or excessive lateral loading.
Hydraulic guide rings are used in many different hydraulic cylinders and machines where the piston and piston rod must be guided accurately.
Excavators, cranes, forklift trucks and other heavy machinery can generate high lateral forces. Guide rings with a high load-bearing capacity are particularly important in these applications.
Hydraulic guide rings are also used in tractors, agricultural machinery and mobile hydraulic systems to support cylinder components and prevent misalignment.
Other applications include presses, pumps, lifting equipment, material-handling systems and industrial production machinery.
Techniparts supplies hydraulic guide rings from various manufacturers. Existing components can often be identified by their type number, dimensions, material and installation position. This makes it possible to find an original version or a technically suitable alternative for many hydraulic cylinders.
| Brand | Types | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Freudenberg Sealing Technologies | SB, KB, SF, SBK, SK, EKF, K, KBK, FRI, FRA | Phenolic fabric, Phenolic, POM, bronze-filled PTFE, Polyamide, PA |
| Dichtomatik | FB 01, FB 05, FRK 01, FRK 05, FRS 01, FRS 05, FRS 06 | Phenolic fabric, Phenolic, Teflon, PTFE, POM, HG |
| Angst & Pfister | ES56130, ES56131, ES56132, ES56133, ES56134, ES56135, GS56140, GS56141, GS56142, GS56143, GS56144, GS56145 | To be completed |
| Bal Seal | SX | UHMW-PE, PTFE, glass-filled, carbon fibre, TA, G, GC, GFP, GFPM, GL, SP, UPC, FDA |
| Claron | EBR, IBR, BT, CT, BGF, PBR | POM, glass-filled PA, bronze/carbon-filled PTFE |
| DLI | To be completed | To be completed |
| ERIKS | Powerslide, Eriflon, SF, EPGI, EPGU, KB, SB | Powerslide, Guivex, T100G, ER39, PTFE, Teflon, POM, PE |
| EVCO | EV85, PO55 | PTFE, Phenolic, Dynaflon |
| Guarnitec | AGI, AGE, AFI, AFE, TF, TEF | POM, glass fibre, Acetal, Phenolic Fabric |
| Hallite | 87, 506, 553 | Polyester, PTFE, TPE, PA, Nylon, bronze/graphite-filled PTFE, red, blue, brown, black |
| Hecker GSM | KFS, KF, S, KF1-S, KFK, KF, K, KF1-K | Euraflon, Teflon, PTFE |
| Hunger | FI, FAI, FA, RFI, RFA, PFB | UHMW-PE, bronze-filled PTFE, pure PTFE, glass-filled, POM, PA |
| James Walker | B1, B2 | Fabric, bronze-filled PTFE |
| Kaco | To be completed | To be completed |
| Kastas | K70 | Polyacetal, POM |
| Nordex | To be completed | To be completed |
| Parker (Prädifa) | Polon, F1, F2, F3, FP, FR | PTFE, Teflon, Polon 025, 033, 314, Q5029, Q5038, POM, Polyacetal, PA, PEI |
| Polilas | To be completed | To be completed |
| Polypac / Sealtech | WR, E/DWR, I/DWR | POM |
| SKF | To be completed | Ecopur, POM, black, grey |
| Trelleborg Sealing Solutions | PTFE (TURCITE): T47, T51, T59, UHMWPE (ZURCON): Z80, POM/PA/glass filled (HiMod): 61, 62, 63, ORKOT: C380, C320, C932 | PTFE, UHMWPE, POM, PA, glass-filled HiMod, ORKOT Composite |
For older machinery, inch sizes and non-standard cylinders, custom hydraulic guide rings or suitable guide strips can be supplied. Where possible, provide the outside diameter, inside diameter, width, installation position, material and operating load.
During a hydraulic cylinder overhaul, it is advisable to inspect not only the guide rings but also the other sealing and guiding elements.
Hydraulic guide strips are suitable when flexible guidance that can be cut to the required length is preferred.
Hydraulic rod seals seal around the moving piston rod, while hydraulic piston seals separate the pressure chambers inside the cylinder.
Hydraulic wipers help remove dirt and other contaminants from the piston rod before it retracts into the cylinder.
A hydraulic guide ring supports and guides the piston or piston rod and helps prevent metal components from coming into direct contact with each other.
A guide ring has fixed dimensions and is supplied preformed. A guide strip is cut to the required length and can therefore be used for many different diameters.
The joint provides expansion space caused by changes in temperature and moisture absorption. Without sufficient clearance, the guide ring can bind.
Phenolic fabric is often used for heavy lateral loads. POM is suitable for many medium-duty applications, while PTFE is useful where low friction or higher sliding speeds are important.
Indirectly, yes. Worn guidance can cause the piston or piston rod to run out of alignment, resulting in uneven loads and accelerated wear on rod and piston seals.
A preformed guide ring generally requires the outside diameter (D), inside diameter (d) and width (b). Also specify whether it is used for piston-rod or piston guidance.
Yes. Custom guide rings or technically suitable alternatives can be supplied for older machinery, inch sizes and non-standard grooves.
Receive personal advice or a tailored quotation from our product specialists. Fill in the form and discover which Z - Hydraulic Guide Strips - Nieuw best fit your needs.
Nederlands 
Deutsch 