Knowledge

Stainless Steel or Aluminium? Choosing Between DI and DAI/DAL Pneumatic Cylinders

2026/ 09/ 22

Two material choices, two very different environments. HINAKA's DI stainless-steel cylinder and the DAI/DAL aluminium-alloy family are built to different standards for a reason — here is how to tell which one your application needs.

I. Same Job, Different Material

All three are standard double-acting pneumatic cylinders, but DI is machined from SUS304 stainless-steel tube, while DAI and DAL use an anodised aluminium-alloy tube. The choice is rarely about force — it is almost always about the environment the cylinder has to survive in.

II. DI — ISO 6432, Stainless Steel

  • Built to ISO 6432, bore ø12 to ø25 (ø32/ø40 available as a custom specification, outside the ISO standard).
  • SUS304 stainless-steel tube: corrosion-resistant, does not rust in washdown, coolant spray or humid environments.
  • Riveted front and rear covers for airtightness and concentricity; magnetic ring standard.
  • Maximum pressure 1 MPa, minimum 0.06 MPa, speed up to 500 mm/s.

III. DAI / DAL — ISO 15552, Aluminium Alloy

  • DAI is built to ISO 15552 (formerly ISO 6431), bore ø32 to ø125 — the larger-bore, general-purpose workhorse of the two.
  • DAL covers the larger bore range, ø40 to ø150, with the same low-friction U-ring seals and adjustable end cushioning.
  • Anodised aluminium tube: lighter than stainless steel, good for high-speed or frequently-cycling applications where mass matters.
  • Maximum pressure 1 MPa, speed 50 to 500 mm/s (DAL) or up to 500 mm/s (DAI).

IV. Quick Decision Guide

  • Washdown, coolant spray, humid or corrosive environment: choose DI.
  • Large bore, standard industrial environment, ISO 15552 footprint needed: choose DAI.
  • Bore above ø125, or need the largest standard aluminium size: choose DAL.

Still not sure? Tell us the bore size, stroke and operating environment via Contact Us, and we will confirm the right series.

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