Rod Ends
Rod ends feature an eye-shaped head with an integral shank housing a spherical plain bearing. They are mainly used on hydraulic or pneumatic pistons to connect the cylinder to another component.
- Versatility
Suitable for a wide range of motion applications, allowing angular misalignment. - Durability
Designed to withstand high loads, both static and dynamic, making them ideal for demanding conditions. - Easy Installation
Simple to mount and adjust, reducing downtime in machinery. - Maintenance Options
Available in maintenance-free or greased designs to suit different operational needs. - Corrosion Resistance
Some rod ends come with corrosion-resistant coatings for use in harsh environments.
Rod ends are widely used in various industries. Their availability matches their versatility across numerous applications in a wide range of designs, variants, and sizes. Examples of applications include:
- Automotive suspension systems
- Industrial machinery
- Aerospace control linkages
- Agricultural equipment
- Construction machinery
- Robotics and automation systems
Rod Ends - Designs and Variants
Steel/Steel Sliding Contact Surfaces (Standard Series)
Steel/Steel sliding contact surfaces with designation suffixes E and ES are the standard series, requiring maintenance. Available in both female or male thread options.
Steel/Steel Sliding Contact Surfaces with a Slotted Shank
Steel/Steel sliding contact surfaces with suffixes E, ES, and ESA, designed with a slotted shank. These require maintenance and feature a female thread with clamping screws in cylindrical or rectangular sections.
Steel/Steel Sliding Contact Surfaces with a Welding Shank
These sliding contact surfaces come with a welding shank and have a designation suffix ES. They require maintenance and are available in either cylindrical or rectangular sections.
Steel/Bronze Sliding Contact Surfaces
These bearings feature steel/bronze sliding contact surfaces with designation suffix M. They require maintenance and are available in female or male thread options.
Steel/PTFE Fabric Sliding Contact Surfaces
Steel/PTFE fabric sliding contact surfaces with the suffix TXE are maintenance-free and are available in both female or male thread options.
Steel/PTFE FRP Sliding Contact Surfaces
Steel/PTFE FRP sliding contact surfaces with the suffix F are maintenance-free, suitable for both female and male thread options.
Steel/PTFE Sintered Bronze Sliding Contact Surfaces
These are maintenance-free sliding contact surfaces, with the designation suffix C, available in female or male thread options.
Rod Ends Size Chart
| Designation | d [mm] | d2 max. [mm] | B [mm] | G 6H | C1 max. [mm] | h1 [mm] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIKAC 5 M | 5 | 19 | 6 | M 5 | 7.5 | 27 |
| SIKB 5 F | 5 | 19 | 6 | M 5 | 7.5 | 27 |
| SIKACG 5 M | 5 | 19 | 6 | M 5 | 7.5 | 27 |
| SILKC 5 F | 5 | 19 | 6 | M 5 | 7.5 | 27 |
| SI 6 C | 6 | 22 | 6 | M 6 | 4.5 | 30 |
| SI 6 E | 6 | 22 | 6 | M 6 | 4.5 | 30 |
| SIKAC 6 M | 6 | 21 | 9 | M 6 | 7.5 | 30 |
| SIKB 6 F | 6 | 21 | 9 | M 6 | 7.5 | 30 |
| SIL 6 C | 6 | 22 | 6 | M 6 | 4.5 | 30 |
| SIL 6 E | 6 | 22 | 6 | M 6 | 4.5 | 30 |
| SIKACG 6 M | 6 | 21 | 9 | M 6 | 7.5 | 30 |
| SIKB 6 F | 6 | 21 | 9 | M 6 | 7.5 | 30 |
| SI 8 C | 8 | 25 | 8 | M 8 | 6.5 | 36 |
| SI 8 E | 8 | 25 | 8 | M 8 | 6.5 | 36 |
| SIKACG 8 M | 8 | 25 | 12 | M 8 | 9.5 | 36 |
| SIKB 8 F | 8 | 25 | 12 | M 8 | 9.5 | 36 |
| SIL 8 C | 8 | 25 | 8 | M 8 | 6.5 | 36 |
| SIL 8 E | 8 | 25 | 8 | M 8 | 6.5 | 36 |
| SIKACG 8 M | 8 | 25 | 12 | M 8 | 9.5 | 36 |
| SIKB 8 F | 8 | 25 | 12 | M 8 | 9.5 | 36 |
| SI 10 C | 10 | 30 | 9 | M 10 | 7.5 | 43 |
| SI 10 E | 10 | 30 | 9 | M 10 | 7.5 | 43 |
| SIKAC 10 M | 10 | 29 | 14 | M 10 | 11.5 | 43 |
| SIKAC 10 MV 2019 | 10 | 29 | 14 | M 10x1.25 | 11.5 | 43 |
| SIKB 10 F | 10 | 29 | 14 | M 10 | 11.5 | 43 |
| SILKC 10 F | 10 | 29 | 14 | M 10 | 11.5 | 43 |
Recommended Reading
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the typical applications of rod ends?
A: Rod ends are commonly used in automotive steering linkages, hydraulic cylinders, industrial machinery, and aerospace components, providing motion control in diverse settings.
Q: How do rod ends differ from spherical plain bearings?
A: Rod ends integrate both the housing and the spherical bearing into a single component, while spherical plain bearings are typically separate parts mounted in housings.
Q: What materials are rod ends made of?
A: Rod ends are commonly made from steel, stainless steel, or a combination of metals with maintenance-free PTFE liners to reduce friction.
Q: What types of rod ends are available?
A: There are male-threaded and female-threaded rod ends, as well as those designed for heavy-duty or high-precision applications, depending on load and movement requirements.
Q: How do rod ends handle load?
A: Rod ends are designed to handle a variety of loads, including axial, radial, and combination loads, depending on the bearing design and material.
Q: Can rod ends operate in high-temperature environments?
A: Yes, some rod ends are made with materials that can withstand high temperatures, often featuring PTFE or bronze linings to ensure performance under heat stress.
Q: What is the difference between a rod end with a steel/steel sliding contact and a rod end with a PTFE liner?
A: Steel/steel sliding contacts require regular maintenance, while PTFE-lined rod ends are maintenance-free, providing reduced friction and longer life.
Q: Are rod ends corrosion resistant?
A: Rod ends made from stainless steel or with special coatings provide excellent corrosion resistance, making them suitable for outdoor or marine environments.
Q: How do you select the appropriate rod end for an application?
A: The appropriate rod end is selected based on factors such as load capacity, movement type, maintenance needs, and environmental conditions.