BRM Official Blog

Fluid power systems use a liquid or a gas to transmit power from one location to another. With hydraulics, the fluid is usually an oil. With pneumatics, a gas such as compressed air is used. In both types of systems, the movement of a cylinder plunger produces linear motion.

Unless the bores of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders have a smooth surface finish, however, performance may suffer. To optimize inner diameter (ID) surface finish, the fluid power industry uses Flex-Hone® tools from Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM).     

Hydraulic cylinders provide controlled actuation for some of the world’s most demanding applications. Mining, dredging, and oil and gas exploration subject fluid power systems to heavy loads in extreme environments. For optimum performance and seal life, the bores of hydraulic cylinders require a smooth, clean surface finish that’s free of rust, corrosion, and accumulated deposits. Torn, cut, and folded metal along the cylinder walls can also contribute to mechanical failure and premature seal wear.

Flex-Hone® tools from Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) impart an inner diameter (ID) surface finish that’s ideal for hydraulic cylinders. Flexible cylinder honing’s low-temperature, low-pressure abrading process removes smeared, fragmented, and amorphous metal while smoothing nicks and scratches to create a more uniform surface finish. As Hydraulics and Pneumatics magazine explains, “honing with a ball-style device can make a big difference in performance and service life.”