American Cylinder Co., Inc.
Hard Coated Aluminum Air Cylinder
American Cylinder's Aluminum 76 Series features a heavy-duty, hard coated aluminum air cylinder body for extreme durability and wear resistance with a long lifespan designed for industrial automation applications. We offer stainless steel, non-repairable, aluminum, magnetic field, corrosion-resistant, three piece, and other cylinders available. The hard anodized aluminum cylinder body provides exceptional surface hardness and durability while keeping the overall weight lower than stainless steel alternatives, making these aluminum air cylinders an ideal choice for standard industrial environments where cost-effectiveness and performance are both priorities.
All air cylinders undergo testing for leakage, ensuring quality control and added value to your application.
ISO 9001 certified and built to industrial interchange standards, the Aluminum 76 Series is available in multiple bore sizes with both standard and custom configuration options.
Contact us to learn more about our aluminum pneumatic cylinders and other non-repairable cylinders we have to offer.
Aluminum Cylinder Types
- Single
- Double Acting
- Reverse Acting
- Volume Chambers
Stainless Steel Mount Options
- Nose Mount
- Universal Mount
- Double Rod End
Available Options For Aluminum Pneumatic Cylinders
- Bore Sizes From 3/4" thru 2-1/2"
- Stroke Selection
- Bumper Option
- Magnetic Piston
- Seal Material
- Buna N
- FDA Approved
- FKM
- Rear Head Options
- Lubrication Type
- Rod End Options
STANDARD FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Cylinder Body
Hard coated I.D. Aluminum Tubing has extreme hardness, excellent wear and seizure resistance, low coefficient of friction and high corrosion resistance. The aluminum body is twice as thick when compared to non-repairable stainless steel body cylinders.
Stainless Steel Rod
Ground & Polished Type 303 Stainless Steel rods are standard on the Aluminum 76 Series. All rods have wrench flats and stress relief grooves.
Piston Rod Assembly
Piston rods are threaded, anaerobically sealed, and machine staked into the piston for triple protection.
End Caps, Piston
High strength aluminum alloy.
Magnet for Sensing Switch Actuation
Optional internal magnet specially designed for use with American Reed or Hall Effect switches.
Springs
Springs for spring action cylinders are made from music wire and designed for millions of cycles. Special spring forces are available.
Rod Guide Bushing
Standard on all models. The oil impregnated sintered bronze bushing increases the life of the cylinder rod and provides a non-abrasive bearing surface.
Buna-N U-Cup Rod & Piston Seals
U-Cup seals provide low breakaway friction and maximize cylinder life expectancy. Standard Buna-N seals are recommended for operating temperatures of -20° F (-25°C) to 200° F (95°C). Fluoroelastomer seals are available for higher temperature applications. Additional special seal compounds and lubricants are available upon request.
Pivot Bushing
Sintered bronze pivot bushings are standard on all universal mount models
Rod Seal
Precision machined rod seal groove provides a smooth sealing surface while positively retaining the seal without requiring additional components and relying on press fit containment.
Prelubricated
All cylinders are factory lubricated with a special high endurance oil mixture.
Pre-Tested
The quality of each cylinder is assured by testing each unit for leakage prior to shipment. Quality control provides added value to American cylinders.
Aluminum Pneumatic Cylinder Applications
The Aluminum 76 Series air cylinder is widely used in standard industrial automation where a durable, cost-effective solution is needed and corrosive conditions are not a primary concern:
- Industrial Automation & Assembly: High-cycle pneumatic actuation for pick-and-place, clamping, and conveyor systems.
- Packaging Equipment: Lightweight aluminum construction supports high-speed packaging machinery without adding unnecessary mass.
- Material Handling: Reliable linear motion for sorting, positioning, and transfer applications.
- OEM Machine Building: Industrial interchange dimensions make the 76 Series a consistent choice for machine designers and OEM builders across industries.
Frequently Asked Questions: Aluminum 76 Series Pneumatic Cylinders
What is a hard coated aluminum air cylinder?
A hard coated aluminum air cylinder is a pneumatic cylinder whose aluminum body has been treated with a hard anodizing process — a surface hardening technique that dramatically increases wear resistance and surface hardness compared to untreated aluminum. American Cylinder's Aluminum 76 Series uses this hard coat process to deliver a heavy-duty air cylinder that combines the lightweight benefits of aluminum with the durability required for high-cycle industrial automation applications.
What bore sizes does the American Cylinder Aluminum 76 Series come in?
The Aluminum 76 Series is available in bore sizes of 3/4", 1-1/8", 1-1/2", 2", and 2-1/2". Multiple stroke lengths are available for each bore size, and custom configurations can be ordered through the American Cylinder engineering department. Use the CAD configurator on this page to build and download your exact part number.
When should I choose an aluminum pneumatic cylinder instead of stainless steel?
Aluminum pneumatic cylinders are the preferred choice for standard industrial automation environments where corrosion is not a primary concern. They are lighter and typically more cost-effective than stainless steel cylinders. If your application involves regular washdown, exposure to moisture or chemicals, food contact surfaces, or marine environments, American Cylinder's Stainless Steel Series would be the better fit. For dry, clean, or controlled industrial environments, the Aluminum 76 Series delivers excellent performance at a lower cost.
Are the Aluminum 76 Series cylinders customizable?
Yes. American Cylinder's engineering and specials department can design and manufacture custom modifications to the Aluminum 76 Series to meet your specific application requirements — regardless of quantity. Custom options may include modified strokes, special porting, non-standard mounting configurations, and value-added assemblies. Contact the American Cylinder Engineering Department to discuss your application needs.
