Extruded from 6063 aluminum alloy, this tube is supplied as a pneumatic cylinder barrel for DNC 6430 and 6431 series cylinders. It offers machine builders a light, corrosion-resistant alternative to steel barrels while keeping the bore concentric and the wall even from end to end.
Material and extrusion
6063 is a general-purpose aluminum extrusion alloy that balances moderate strength with good formability, which is why it is widely used for industrial profiles. Because it extrudes cleanly, the tube can be produced in long lengths with a consistent cross section, straightness and surface quality that suit later machining of cylinder barrels.
Profile and bore
The profile is a round tube with a concentric bore and an even wall thickness around the circumference. A balanced wall helps the barrel stay round when the cylinder is pressurized and keeps the piston seal loaded evenly, supporting smooth stroking and reducing the risk of blow-by at the ends of the stroke.
Surface finish
Tube is supplied with a mill finish that carries the fine longitudinal lines typical of aluminum extrusion. Where a harder, more wear-resistant or more decorative surface is needed, the tube can be clear or color anodized, which also adds a layer of corrosion protection over the mill surface.
Machining and assembly
Cylinder barrels are normally made by cutting the tube to length, facing and chamfering both ends, then machining ports, retaining grooves and end-cap threads to suit the design. Aluminum cuts quickly on standard machine tools, so the tube suits both prototype work and repeat production, and the bore can be honed or roller burnished when a finer internal finish is required.
Typical applications
Beyond DNC 6430 and 6431 style pneumatic cylinders, tube of this type is used for air actuators, clamping and positioning devices, packaging and filling machinery, light automation fixtures and other shop-air equipment where low weight and corrosion resistance matter more than the stiffness of steel.
Inspection and handling
Before machining, check each length for straightness, roundness, wall uniformity and surface damage such as dents or deep score marks. Store the tube on padded supports to avoid scratches, and keep cut ends deburred so that handling does not mark the bore that carries the piston seal.
Ordering information
When ordering, confirm the outside diameter, wall thickness, cut length, quantity and required finish, and state whether the tube is for a DNC 6430 or 6431 style barrel or for another air cylinder design, so that the supplied profile matches the drawing.
