Guide Rings
Guide rings are ring-shaped components that support pistons and rods of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, guiding axial movement while preventing metal-to-metal contact. They are also called wear rings. By absorbing side loads and suppressing misalignment, they prevent uneven wear of seals such as packings and galling on the cylinder bore and rod surface. Materials include PTFE-based compounds, various resins, and fabric-reinforced phenolic. Piston-type rings fit on the piston outer circumference, and rod-type rings fit in the inner circumference of the rod cover. Shapes include flat strip, L-type that doubles as a backup ring, collared, and grooved. The joint is generally a 45° cut, and 90° cut or no-cut (endless) options are also available.
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Guide Rings
Rod Guide Ring / Piston Guide Ring (F01 Series)
Guide rings for dynamic applications. Standard cut is 45°; endless (uncut) and 90° cut versions are available to order.
SKF
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Guide Rings
Guide Ring F07
Model: F07
Piston guide ring with an inner circumferential groove. Available in split or non-split types.
SKF
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Guide Rings
Guide Ring F08
Model: F08
Rod guide ring with outer groove. Available in split and non-split types.
SKF
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Guide Rings
Guide Ring F02
Model: F02
Guide ring for rods and pistons. Can also be used as a flat washer or spacer.
SKF
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Guide Rings
Guide Ring F03
Model: F03
An L-shaped piston guide ring that combines the functions of a guide ring and a backup ring.
SKF
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Guide Rings
Guide Ring F04
Model: F04
Guide ring for rods with a shape equivalent to F03.
SKF
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Guide Rings
Guide Ring F05
Model: F05
Piston guide ring with inner collar. Available in split and non-split types.
SKF
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Guide Rings
Guide Ring F06
Model: F06
Rod guide ring with outer collar. Available with or without split.
SKF
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Guide Rings
Guide Ring (F01 Rod/Piston Guide Ring)
Model: F01
Guide ring for rods and pistons in dynamic applications. Standard cut is 45°, with non-split and 90° cut types also available to order.
SKF
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Guide Rings
Guide Rings
Ring products used as guides for sliding parts. Listed in the table of contents of this document, but the body text is not included in the excerpt.
SKF
How to choose Guide Rings
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1. Select Rod Type or Piston Type
Rod-type rings fit into a groove in the inner circumference of the rod cover and guide the rod, while piston-type rings fit into a groove on the piston outer circumference and guide the cylinder bore. Collared, grooved, and L-type shapes may also have separate part numbers for rod and piston use.
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2. Match Rod Diameter or Bore Diameter
For rod-type rings, the nominal size is the rod outer diameter d; for piston-type rings, it is the cylinder bore diameter D. Listed products include examples covering 6 to 1000 mm. Also confirm the available manufacturing diameter range and whether special diameters can be supplied.
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3. Select Thickness and Width to Suit the Groove
Cross-sectional thickness is 1.5 to 4 mm for listed products. Determine thickness together with groove depth so that a clearance between metal parts is maintained. Width should match the groove width, and the selection should confirm that the surface pressure under the applied side load remains within the allowable value.
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4. Check Allowable Surface Pressure Under Side Load
Because guide rings support side loads, keep the surface pressure, calculated as load divided by projected area (diameter × width), below the allowable surface pressure. For high-load applications, consider materials that withstand high surface pressure, such as fabric-reinforced phenolic, or wider cross-sections.
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5. Match Material to Sliding Speed, Temperature, and Fluid
PTFE-based materials have low friction and suit high-speed use, while fabric-reinforced phenolic offers excellent load-bearing capacity. The maximum sliding speed for listed products is 5 m/s. Verify the operating temperature range and compatibility with media such as hydraulic oil, water, and air for each material.
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6. Joint Shape and Ease of Installation
The 45° cut is standard, and 90° cut or no-cut options are also available. Split rings are easy to install into the groove, and the joint can absorb dimensional changes from thermal expansion. No-cut rings may not be installable in an integral groove, so select based on the housing structure.
This guide was written by AI based on the listed products' documents and specification items. Check each manufacturer's documents before adopting.