How can corrosion of hydraulic cylinders in aggressive environments be prevented?

Conforti supplies CD-NK / DK-NK / MD-NK cylinders with a 20 µm chemical nickel plating and a chromed stainless rod. The combination delivers corrosion resistance equivalent to 1200 hours in salt spray with a rating of 10. The nickel plating has high adhesion and a uniform layer and contains no heavy metals or ammonia. It is a cost-effective alternative to fully stainless steel cylinders — suitable where machines are washed with corrosive detergents or exposed to salt spray.

Which mountings are available for the nickel-plated cylinders?

According to the catalogue the nickel-plated version offers seven mounting types: ME5 (A – front flange), ME6 (B – rear flange), MP5 (D – spherical bearing), MS2 (E – foot mounts) and extended tie-rods MX1 (Q – both ends), MX3 (R – front) and MX2 (S – rear). Compared with the standard CD series the set is limited — without trunnion and clevis variants. Exact availability is confirmed by the technical department.

What material are the rod and body of the nickel-plated cylinders made of?

A chromed stainless rod (RRX) is a standard part of the nickel-plated version, complementing the nickel protection of the cylinder body. The 20 µm nickel coating covers the entire body — heads, flange plates, tie-rods and cylinder tube. Other rod materials are available on request, for example chromed CK45 steel, hardened chromed or Nikrom.

Can a nickel-plated cylinder be fitted with a magnetic position sensor?

Yes. The MD-NK series is the nickel-plated version with a magnetic piston for piston-position detection (intermediate and end positions) — the same corrosion resistance as CD-NK plus feedback for a PLC. SH (PNP magnetoresistive, 6–30 V DC) and SR (REED, 3–110 V AC/DC) sensors are available, both rated IP 67. According to the catalogue, nickel-plating is available for the CD/DK tie-rod cylinders and the MD series with sensors; the TD/TK servo cylinders can be nickel-plated as well — but verify that the position sensor suits the corrosive environment and has an adequate IP rating, or consult our technical team.

What is the operating pressure and bore range of the nickel-plated cylinders?

Nickel-plated cylinders operate at a nominal pressure of 160 bar and are tested at 240 bar to ISO 10100 before delivery, just like the standard CD / DK / MD series. Bore sizes: CD-NK Ø 25–100 mm, DK-NK Ø 125–200 mm, MD-NK Ø 25–125 mm. The envelope dimensions are identical to the standard cylinders — a direct swap with no machine modification.

What is the corrosion resistance of the nickel-plated cylinders in salt spray?

A 20 µm chemical nickel plating combined with a chromed stainless rod delivers corrosion resistance equivalent to 1200 hours in salt spray with a rating of 10 (the highest level). The coating has high adhesion and a uniform layer, so it protects even the edges and threads of the cylinder.

Does the nickel coating contain heavy metals or ammonia?

No. The chemical nickel plating used on the CD-NK / DK-NK / MD-NK cylinders contains no heavy metals or ammonia and forms a uniform layer with high adhesion. It is therefore also suitable for food and beverage operations with frequent sanitation or for electroplating and surface finishing plants.

Nickel-plated tie-rod hydraulic cylindersFor aggressive and corrosive environments · CD-NK / DK-NK / MD-NK

Q: Where are the nickel-plated CD-NK / DK-NK / MD-NK cylinders used?

Use nickel-plated cylinders wherever ordinary hydraulics suffer from corrosion: industrial washing and cleaning stations with corrosive detergents, food and beverage operations with frequent sanitation, marine and off-shore applications with salt spray, electroplating and surface finishing, or agricultural and municipal machinery. Thanks to the envelope identical to the standard CD / DK series, they can be fitted as a direct replacement for a corroded cylinder without switching to a fully stainless version.

Nickel-plated double-acting tie-rod cylinders CD-NK, DK-NK and MD-NK to ISO 6020/2 with a 20 µm chemical nickel plating and a chromed stainless rod — corrosion resistance 1,200 h in salt spray (rating 10), free of heavy metals and ammonia. The envelope is identical to the standard CD / DK / MD, so you can replace a corroded cylinder with no machine modification at a fraction of the cost of fully stainless. Operating pressure 160 bar (240 bar test), bore Ø 25–200 mm, 7 mounting types. The MD-NK series adds magnetic position sensors. Supplied by hydraulika.store, an authorised distributor of Conforti Oleodinamica for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the EU — with free CAD models.

1,200 hSalt spray (rating 10)

20 µmNickel layer

160 barOperating pressure

Ø 25–200 mmBore

Configure an NK cylinder CAD 3D models

CD-NK / DK-NK datasheet (PDF)

Loading 3D model…

ISO 6020/2 Nickel 20 µm Stainless rod 1,200 h salt spray

Do you also need piston-position sensing in a corrosive environment? The MD-NK series is the nickel-plated version with a magnetic piston and SH / SR sensors on the tie-rods (sliding anywhere along the stroke — intermediate and end positions) — the same corrosion resistance as CD-NK, plus feedback to a PLC. More about MD cylinders with sensors →

Is a standard cylinder without corrosion protection enough for you? The CD / DK series without nickel plating have an identical envelope — for ordinary dry industrial environments they are available faster and cheaper. Choose nickel plating only where corrosion is a risk. View the standard CD / DK cylinders →

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ — nickel-plated cylinders for aggressive environments

Tap a question — the answer appears below. Verified against the Conforti Oleodinamica technical documentation (nickel-plated CD / DK / MD version, NK catalogue).

Useful articles from our Technical Centre: Nickel-plated cylinders — replacing stainless steel → Position sensors for hydraulic cylinders — overview → Interchangeability of competitor cylinders to ISO → All articles in the Technical Centre →

Configuration on request

Configure your nickel-plated CD-NK / MD-NK cylinder

Nickel-plated cylinders are not available in the online configurator yet. Send us your requirements and our technical department will prepare the exact configuration, technical datasheet, CAD model and a quotation.

Get a custom nickel-plated configuration

Tell us the bore, rod, mounting, stroke and operating conditions. We reply with a datasheet, CAD model and price — usually within one business day.

Email the technical department → +420 702 171 872

Technical specifications

Technical specifications CD-NK / DK-NK / MD-NK

Nickel-plated cylinders share all envelope dimensions with the standard CD, DK and MD to ISO 6020/2 (DIN 24554) — they differ in surface finish, rod material and a limited set of mountings. A direct swap for a corroded standard cylinder with no machine modification.

Standard

ISO 6020/2 · DIN 24554

Interchangeable envelope with standard CD / DK / MD

Surface finish

Chemical nickel 20 µm

1200 h salt spray · rating 10 · free of heavy metals and ammonia

Bore

CD-NK: Ø 25–100 mm · DK-NK: Ø 125–200 mm

MD-NK: Ø 25–125 mm (with sensor)

Operating pressure

Max. 160 bar · 240 bar test

Tested to ISO 10100 (same as standard CD / DK)

NK mounting

7 types — ME5, ME6, MP5, MS2, MX1, MX3, MX2

Limited set compared with standard CD (without trunnions and clevises)

Rod & seals

Stainless RRX · S (NBR+PTFE) · L · H (Viton) · G (HFC)

All seal configurations as on standard CD / DK

NK vs. Standard · Same ISO 6020/2 envelope

When to choose nickel-plated CD-NK / DK-NK, standard CD / DK or MD-NK?

The NK version is a direct envelope replacement for the standard CD / DK — same bore, same ISO dimensions, same seals. The difference is the nickel surface protection (20 µm, 1200 h salt spray) and the stainless rod. For ordinary dry environments the standard CD / DK is enough; for corrosion, washdown and salt spray choose NK. The MD-NK series adds magnetic piston-position sensors (intermediate and end positions) while keeping the corrosion protection.

CD-NK / DK-NKNickel-plated Nickel 20 µm · 1200 h salt spray (rating 10) · stainless rod · 160 bar · Ø 25–200 mm. Detergents, salt spray, chemicals, food industry. Configure CD-NK → CD / DK standardISO 6020/2 No special surface protection · 160 bar (240 test) · Ø 25–200 mm · 14 mountings. Faster availability and lower cost for dry industrial environments. Standard CD / DK details → MD-NKNickel + sensor Nickel-plated version with a magnetic piston · SH / SR sensors · Ø 25–125 mm · 160 bar. Corrosive environments + piston-position feedback to a PLC (intermediate and end). Configure MD-NK →

Applications in corrosive environments

Where nickel-plated cylinders are most often used

Use CD-NK / DK-NK / MD-NK nickel-plated cylinders wherever standard hydraulics fail due to corrosion — industrial washing and cleaning stations with corrosive detergents, food and beverage operations, marine and off-shore applications with salt spray, electroplating and surface finishing, and agricultural and municipal machinery. Thanks to the envelope identical to the standard CD / DK, they are ideal as a direct replacement for a corroded cylinder without switching to a fully stainless version.

Real-world deployments: Cylinders for pharma and food industry → Cylinders for power and steelworks →

Need help choosing a cylinder for your application?

CAD & Technical documentation

CAD models and 2D drawings of nickel-plated cylinders CD-NK / DK-NK / MD-NK

The 3D model of the nickel-plated cylinder is identical to the envelope of the standard CD / DK — nickel plating does not change the dimensions. For the CAD model use the configuration code without the "NK" suffix. STEP, IGES, Parasolid, STL, DWG, DXF and PDF formats free of charge.

How to get a 3D model or drawing of a nickel-plated cylinder

1
Specify the cylinder — define the bore, rod, mounting and stroke with the technical department
2
Note the NK cylinder code — provided by the technical department, e.g. CD 63 / 36 A 300 S NK
3
For CAD use the code without "NK" — the envelope is identical to the standard CD; enter it into the "CODE WIZARD"
4
Choose a format and download — STEP, IGES, Parasolid, DWG, DXF and more

Available formats:

STEPIGESParasolidSTLDWGDXFPDF

CAD configurator and technical documentation

3D models CD / DK (NK envelope)NK shares the envelope with CD — use the code without the NK suffix

Catalogue CD-NK / DK-NK / MD-NK (PDF)Nickel-plated version — drawings and specifications

Standard CD / DK / MD cylindersWithout nickel plating — for dry environments

Brand authority

Why Conforti through hydraulika.store

We are an authorised distributor of the Italian manufacturer Conforti Oleodinamica. Genuine cylinders with the full manufacturer's warranty, technical support and invoicing in EUR.

ISO 9001 since 2008

Conforti has held an ISO 9001 certified quality management system for 18+ years. Periodically validated business processes.

48-hour production

For urgent orders, Conforti guarantees production within 48 hours of confirmation. Short standard lead times.

100% individual testing

Every cylinder undergoes an individual test protocol to ISO 10100 before delivery. Records kept on file.

Made in Italy

Manufactured in Monza (Lombardy). Proven design to ISO 6020/2 and ISO 6022, DIN 24554 / 24333.

Engineering support

Technical consultations, custom NK configuration, CAD models, invoicing in EUR. Spare parts kept in stock.

Authorised distributor

Genuine Conforti cylinders with the full manufacturer's warranty. No re-exports or aftermarket parts. Direct distribution agreement.

Spare parts in stock

Spare parts available from stock — from seal kits through pistons to rods. Get back into operation fast, without waiting for a whole new cylinder.

Complete range

14 cylinder series — ISO 6020/2, ISO 6022 heavy-duty, compact and servo cylinders. One supplier for standard and the most demanding applications.

If you have any questions, please contact us — Adam Tomášek, sales & technical representative and authorized distributor of Italian Conforti Oleodinamica hydraulic cylinders for CZ, SK and the EU since 2023, who prepared this content for you. Contact →