EN 10305 Seamless Cold Drawn Precision Steel Tubes For Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Precision Mechanical Applications
Product Spotlights
For Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Precision Mechanical Applications
EN 10305-1, EN 10305-4 – Grades E235, E355, 42CrMo4, 34CrMo4
Metric Dimensions – Tight Tolerances – Excellent Surface Finish
EN 10305 Seamless Cold Drawn Precision Steel Tubes
For Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Precision Mechanical Applications
EN 10305-1, EN 10305-4 – Grades E235, E355, 42CrMo4, 34CrMo4
Metric Dimensions – Tight Tolerances – Excellent Surface Finish
Product Overview
EN 10305 seamless cold drawn precision steel tubes are the European standard for high precision tubing used in hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, precision mechanical components, shock absorbers, automotive parts, and general engineering applications.
The cold drawing process provides:
Tight dimensional tolerances (ISO H8, H9, H10, H11)
Excellent surface finish (Ra ≤0.8μm for machined, up to Ra ≤0.1μm for honed)
Increased mechanical strength compared to hot rolled tubes
Consistent wall thickness and concentricity
Applicable Standards:
EN 10305-1 – Seamless cold drawn precision tubes (general)
EN 10305-4 – Seamless cold drawn precision tubes for hydraulic/pneumatic power systems
Steel Grades Covered:
E235 (St 37.4) – General precision engineering
E355 (St 52.4) – High strength hydraulic cylinder tubes
42CrMo4 – High strength alloy for quenched + tempered condition
34CrMo4 – Medium alloy quenched + tempered
27MnCr6 – High strength alloy deep hole drilling
✅ EN 10305-1 / EN 10305-4 certified – Current European standard
✅ Cold drawn seamless – Superior surface finish and dimensional accuracy
✅ Metric dimensions – Standard European tubing sizes
✅ Tight tolerances – ISO H8 to H11 available
✅ Delivery conditions – BK, BKW, GBK, NBK, +C, +SR, +N, +QT
✅ 100% NDT and pressure testing available – Guaranteed integrity
✅ EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTC provided with full traceability
✅ Factory direct | Stock available | Honing available | Fast delivery
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard | EN 10305-1 (general), EN 10305-4 (hydraulic/pneumatic systems) |
| Product Type | Seamless Cold Drawn Precision Steel Tube |
| Steel Grades | E235 (St 37.4), E355 (St 52.4), 42CrMo4, 34CrMo4, 27MnCr6 |
| OD Range | 4mm – 120mm (cold drawn); up to 250mm (cold drawn/hot rolled + cold drawn) |
| Wall Thickness | 0.5mm – 20mm |
| Length | 3m – 12m (fixed or random) |
| Delivery Conditions | BK, BKW, GBK, NBK, +C, +SR, +N, +QT |
| Tolerance Class | ISO H8, H9, H10, H11 (ISO 286-2) |
| Surface Finish | Black / Bright / Oiled / Honed (internal) |
| End Finish | Plain / Beveled / Threaded |
📌 EN 10305-4 – Specific requirements for hydraulic and pneumatic power systems including pressure rating, dimensional accuracy, and surface roughness.
📌 Metric dimensions – EN 10305 tubes are manufactured to metric OD dimensions (e.g., 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, 100mm).
Steel Grade Overview
| Grade | DIN Equivalent | Min Yield (MPa) | Tensile (MPa) | Delivery Condition | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E235 | St 37.4 | 235 | 340-480 | BK, BKW, NBK | General precision engineering |
| E355 | St 52.4 | 355 | 490-640 | BK, NBK | Hydraulic cylinders – most common |
| 42CrMo4 | 42CrMo4 | 550 | 700-900 | +QT | High pressure cylinders, shafts |
| 34CrMo4 | 34CrMo4 | 550 | 700-850 | +QT | Hydraulic cylinders, heavy duty |
| 27MnCr6 | 27MnCr6 | 450 | 650-850 | +QT | Deep hole drilling applications |
Delivery Conditions – EN 10305
| Symbol | Description | Application | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| BK | Cold drawn / as-drawn | Maximum strength | Dull (as-drawn) |
| BKW | Cold drawn + light finishing | Enhanced surface for plating | Bright (smooth) |
| GBK | Annealed | Soft, machinable | Dull |
| NBK | Normalized | Good strength + ductility | Dull/satin |
| +C | Cold drawn to dimensions | Precision dimensions | Varies |
| +SR | Stress relieved after cold drawing | Dimensional stability | Varies |
| +N | Normalized after cold drawing | Uniform structure | Varies |
| +QT | Quenched + tempered after cold drawing | Maximum strength – alloy grades | Varies |
💡 BK (as-drawn) provides the highest strength. BKW is recommended for chrome plating. NBK is best for welding operations.
Chemical Composition – EN 10305 Grades
| Grade | C max | Si max | Mn | P max | S max | Cr | Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E235 | 0.17 | 0.35 | 0.40-1.20 | 0.025 | 0.025 | — | — |
| E355 | 0.22 | 0.55 | 1.00-1.60 | 0.025 | 0.025 | — | — |
| 42CrMo4 | 0.38-0.45 | ≤0.40 | 0.50-0.80 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.90-1.20 | 0.15-0.30 |
| 34CrMo4 | 0.30-0.37 | ≤0.40 | 0.50-0.80 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.90-1.20 | 0.15-0.30 |
| 27MnCr6 | 0.25-0.30 | ≤0.40 | 1.20-1.50 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.50-0.80 | — |
Mechanical Properties – E355 (Most Common)
| Delivery Condition | Tensile (MPa) | Yield (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Surface Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BK (as-drawn) | 560-780 | ≥450 | ≥10 | As-drawn/scale |
| NBK (normalized) | 450-620 | ≥355 | ≥22 | Dull/satin |
| BKW (finish drawn) | 520-700 | ≥400 | ≥14 | Bright/smooth |
💡 E355 NBK is the most popular combination for hydraulic cylinder barrels – good strength (355 MPa yield) combined with excellent ductility and weldability.
Mechanical Properties – 42CrMo4 (Quenched + Tempered)
| Delivery Condition | Tensile (MPa) | Yield (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +QT (Q+T) | 700-900 | ≥550 | ≥12 | 240-300 |
💡 42CrMo4 +QT provides maximum strength for high pressure hydraulic cylinders – up to 500 bar working pressure capability .
Dimensional Tolerances – EN 10305-1 / EN 10305-4
OD Tolerances (Cold Drawn - ISO H8, H9, H10, H11):
| OD (mm) | Tolerance H8 (μm) | Tolerance H9 (μm) | Tolerance H10 (μm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 | ±22 | ±36 | ±58 |
| 10-18 | ±27 | ±43 | ±70 |
| 18-30 | ±33 | ±52 | ±84 |
| 30-50 | ±39 | ±62 | ±100 |
| 50-80 | ±46 | ±74 | ±120 |
| 80-120 | ±54 | ±87 | ±140 |
Wall Thickness Tolerance (Cold Drawn):
| WT (mm) | Tolerance (mm) |
|---|---|
| ±0.10 | |
| 2.0 – 3.0 | ±0.12 |
| 3.0 – 5.0 | ±0.15 |
| 5.0 – 8.0 | ±0.18 |
| 8.0 – 12.0 | ±0.20 |
💡 EN 10305-4 requires tighter tolerances for hydraulic/pneumatic systems – use H9 or H10 as standard, H8 for precision applications.
Surface Roughness Capability
| Processing Level | Surface Roughness Ra (μm) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Cold drawn (BK) | ≤1.6 – 3.2 | General precision |
| Finish drawn (BKW) | ≤0.8 – 1.6 | For chrome plating prep |
| Skived/Roller burnished | ≤0.2 – 0.4 | Hydraulic cylinder barrels – high seal life |
| Honed | ≤0.1 – 0.2 | Ultra-smooth, low friction |
| Polished | ≤0.05 – 0.1 | Mirror finish – piston rods |
💡 Skiving + roller burnishing produces the ideal surface finish for hydraulic cylinder barrels – eliminates spiral marks and provides excellent seal life.
Applications – EN 10305 Precision Tubes
| Industry | Application | Recommended Grade | Delivery Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulics | Cylinder barrels (standard) | E355 | NBK |
| Hydraulics | Cylinder barrels (high pressure) | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
| Hydraulics | Piston rods | E355, 42CrMo4 | BKW (for chrome plate) |
| Pneumatics | Cylinder tubes | E235 | BK, NBK |
| Automotive | Shock absorber tubes | E235 | BK |
| Automotive | Steering components | E355 | BK, BKW |
| Machine building | Guide tubes, shafts | E355, 42CrMo4 | BK, +QT |
| Bearing industry | Bearing sleeves | E355 | BK, NBK |
| Precision machining | Machined components | E235 | GBK (annealed) |
| Construction equipment | Excavator cylinders | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
Available Sizes – EN 10305 Precision Tubes (Metric)
Standard metric OD sizes for cold drawn tubes:
| OD (mm) | Available WT (mm) | Typical Grade | Delivery Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 | E235, E355 | BK, NBK |
| 25 | 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 | E235, E355 | BK, NBK |
| 30 | 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 | E235, E355 | BK, NBK |
| 35 | 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 5.0 | E355 | BK, NBK |
| 40 | 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 | E355 | BK, NBK |
| 45 | 3.5, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 | E355 | BK, NBK |
| 50 | 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 | E355, 42CrMo4 | NBK, +QT |
| 55 | 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 | E355, 42CrMo4 | NBK, +QT |
| 60 | 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 | E355, 42CrMo4 | NBK, +QT |
| 65 | 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
| 70 | 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 10.0 | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
| 75 | 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 10.0 | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
| 80 | 7.0, 8.0, 10.0, 12.0 | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
| 85 | 7.0, 8.0, 10.0, 12.0 | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
| 90 | 8.0, 10.0, 12.0, 14.0 | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
| 100 | 10.0, 12.0, 14.0, 16.0 | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
| 110 | 10.0, 12.0, 14.0, 16.0 | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
| 120 | 12.0, 14.0, 16.0, 18.0 | 42CrMo4 | +QT |
💡 Most popular hydraulic cylinder sizes: 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, 100mm OD – E355 NBK for standard duty, 42CrMo4 +QT for high pressure.
Grade Selection – Hydraulic Cylinder Applications
| Working Pressure | Cylinder Bore | Recommended Grade | Delivery Condition | Yield Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 160 bar (2,300 PSI) | Any | E235 | NBK | ≥235 MPa |
| 160-250 bar (2,300-3,600 PSI) | Any | E355 | NBK | ≥355 MPa |
| 250-350 bar (3,600-5,000 PSI) | ≤100mm | 42CrMo4 | +QT | ≥550 MPa |
| 250-300 bar (3,600-4,300 PSI) | ≤150mm | 34CrMo4 | +QT | ≥550 MPa |
| >350 bar (>5,000 PSI) | All | 42CrMo4 | +QT | ≥550 MPa |
Quality Testing & Inspection – EN 10305
| Test | Method | Standard | Coverage | Applicable Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eddy Current (ET) | Non-destructive | EN 10305 | Optional (available) | EN 10305-1 / -4 |
| Ultrasonic (UT) | Non-destructive | EN 10305 | Optional (available) | EN 10305-1 / -4 |
| Hydrostatic Test | Water pressure | EN 10305 | Optional / As requested | EN 10305-4 recommended |
| Tensile Test | EN ISO 6892-1 | EN 10305 | Per lot | All grades |
| Hardness Test | Rockwell/Brinell | EN 10305 | Per lot | All grades |
| Flattening Test | Ductility | EN 10305 | Per lot | All grades |
| Dimensional Inspection | Micrometer | EN 10305 | 100% | All grades |
| Surface Roughness | Profilometer | EN 10305 | Sample | EN 10305-4 requirement |
💡 EN 10305-4 requires pressure testing for hydraulic/pneumatic applications – hydrostatic test to 530 bar or NDT as agreed .
Pressure Rating – EN 10305-4 Hydraulic Tubes
| Grade | OD (mm) | WT (mm) | Max Working Pressure (MPa) | Max Working Pressure (PSI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E355 | 50 | 5.0 | 32 | 4,600 |
| E355 | 60 | 6.0 | 38 | 5,500 |
| E355 | 70 | 7.0 | 42 | 6,000 |
| 42CrMo4 | 80 | 8.0 | 55 | 8,000 |
| 42CrMo4 | 90 | 9.0 | 60 | 8,700 |
| 42CrMo4 | 100 | 10.0 | 62 | 9,000 |
Processing Services – Precision Tubes
| Service | Description | Maximum Capability | Grades Applicable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Cutting | Cut to exact length (±0.5mm) | Up to 12m | All grades |
| Honing (internal) | Surface finish Ra ≤0.2μm | Up to 120mm bore | E355, 42CrMo4 |
| Skiving + Roller Burnishing | Surface finish Ra ≤0.3μm, removes decarb layer | Up to 100mm bore | E355, 42CrMo4 |
| Chrome Plating (external) | For piston rods | Up to 100mm OD | E355 |
| Turned / Ground | Precision OD machining | Up to 120mm | All grades |
| Heat Treatment | Quenching, tempering, annealing | All sizes | All grades |
| Threading | End threading | Up to 120mm OD | All grades |
| Bending | Cold or hot bending | Various | E235, E355 |
Honing vs Skiving + Roller Burnishing – Comparison
| Feature | Honing | Skiving + Roller Burnishing |
|---|---|---|
| Surface finish | Ra ≤0.2μm | Ra ≤0.3μm |
| Decarb layer removal | No | Yes – complete removal |
| Spiral marks | Potential | No – spiral-free |
| Production speed | Slower | Very fast |
| Tube straightness effect | No change | Improves straightness |
| Best for | Ultra-smooth finish, tight tolerances | Hydraulic cylinders – seal life |
💡 Skiving + roller burnishing is the preferred method for hydraulic cylinder barrels – it removes the decarburized layer, produces a spiral-free surface, and improves straightness in one pass .
Delivery Conditions – Selection Guide
| Need | Recommended Condition | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum strength | BK (as-drawn) | Cold work increases strength |
| Weldability | NBK (normalized) | Lower strength, better ductility |
| Chrome plating prep | BKW (finish drawn) | Close tolerance + smooth surface |
| Machining | GBK (annealed) | Softest condition, easiest machining |
| High strength + ductility | NBK | Best balance for hydraulics |
| Maximum strength + toughness | +QT (alloy grades) | Quenched and tempered |
Mill Test Certificate – EN 10305 Precision Tubes
EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTC – Provided with heat number
EN 10204 Type 3.2 – Available upon request (third-party inspection)
Traceability: Full traceability from melt to finished tube
Dimensional measurement report – OD, WT, length, straightness
Surface roughness report – Available for BKW, honed, or skived/burnished tubes
EN 10305-1 vs EN 10305-4 – Key Differences
| Feature | EN 10305-1 | EN 10305-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Application | General precision tubes | Hydraulic/pneumatic power systems |
| Pressure testing | Optional | Required (or agreed NDT) |
| Surface roughness | No specific requirement | Specified limits |
| Dimensional tolerances | Standard | Stricter for H/P systems |
| End finish | Standard | Prepared for connections |
| Certification | Standard MTC | Additional pressure test cert |
| Typical use | General engineering | Hydraulic cylinders – most common |
💡 For hydraulic cylinder barrels, EN 10305-4 is the more appropriate standard.
Packaging & Shipping
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Hexagonal bundles with steel strapping |
| Protection | Anti-rust oil + plastic end caps |
| Marking | Stencil/spray with Grade, size, heat number, EN 10305 |
| Honed tubes | Individual plastic sleeves + end caps |
| Documentation | MTC + test reports |
| Lead time | 7-15 days (stock: E355 NBK), 15-25 days (42CrMo4), 20-30 days (honed) |
| Port | Tianjin / Shanghai / Guangzhou |
Why Choose Our EN 10305 Precision Tubes?
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Precision tube specialist | Dedicated cold drawing line for metric precision tubes |
| Full grade range | E235, E355, 42CrMo4 – one-stop sourcing |
| E355 NBK in stock | Most popular hydraulic cylinder grade – ready to ship |
| In-house honing + skiving | Complete cylinder barrel processing |
| Multiple delivery conditions | BK, BKW, GBK, NBK, +QT – all available |
| Metric dimensions | Standard European tubing sizes – 25-120mm OD |
| Tight tolerances | ISO H8, H9, H10, H11 – precision assured |
| Full traceability | EN 10204 3.1 MTC with heat number |
| In-house processing | Cutting, honing, skiving, grinding, plating |
| Global export | Shipped to hydraulic cylinder manufacturers worldwide |
Contact for Quote – EN 10305 Precision Tubes
Please provide the following details:
Grade : E235 / E355 / 42CrMo4 / 34CrMo4 / Other _______
Standard : EN 10305-1 / EN 10305-4
Delivery Condition : BK / BKW / NBK / +QT / Other _______
OD (mm) : _______
WT (mm) : _______
Length (m) : _______
Quantity : _______ (pieces / meters / tons)
Application : Hydraulic cylinder / Pneumatic cylinder / Mechanical part / Other _______
Surface finish : As-drawn / BKW / Honed / Skived + Roller burnished
Inspection : Standard / Third-party (SGS/BV/TUV)
📧 Email: yjhtrade@gmail.com
📞 WhatsApp: +86 15106174543
🌐 Website:
Reply within 24 hours.
FAQ – EN 10305 Precision Tubes
Q1: What is EN 10305 used for?
A: EN 10305 seamless cold drawn precision steel tubes are used for hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, shock absorbers, precision mechanical components, and automotive parts .
Q2: What is the difference between EN 10305-1 and EN 10305-4?
A: EN 10305-1 is general precision tubes. EN 10305-4 has additional requirements for hydraulic/pneumatic power systems – pressure testing, specified surface roughness, and tighter tolerances .
Q3: What is the most common grade for hydraulic cylinders?
A: E355 NBK – yield ≥355 MPa, tensile 450-620 MPa, excellent combination of strength, ductility, and weldability .
Q4: What is the difference between BK, BKW, and NBK?
A: BK – as-drawn, highest strength, as-drawn surface. BKW – finish drawn, bright surface, slightly less strength. NBK – normalized, lower strength but better ductility and weldability .
Q5: What is 42CrMo4 used for?
A: 42CrMo4 +QT is used for high pressure hydraulic cylinders (up to 500 bar) where higher strength (≥550 MPa yield) is required .
Q6: What surface finish is required for hydraulic cylinder barrels?
A: Ra ≤0.3μm for skived/roller burnished; Ra ≤0.2μm for honed – both provide excellent seal life .
Q7: What is the difference between honing and skiving + roller burnishing?
A: Honing – abrasive process, removes minimal material, achievable Ra ≤0.2μm. Skiving + roller burnishing – removes decarb layer, spiral-free surface, improves straightness, produces Ra ≤0.3μm .
Q8: Can you supply honed or skived tubes?
A: Yes – we supply tubes with internal honing or skiving + roller burnishing as customer specifications.
Q9: Is EN 10305-4 pressure tested?
A: Yes – EN 10305-4 requires pressure test (hydrostatic to 530 bar) or agreed NDT for hydraulic/pneumatic applications .
Q10: Do you provide third-party inspection?
A: Yes. SGS, BV, TUV, or any customer-specified agency.
Q11: Do you offer free samples?
A: 30cm sample available for common grades (E235, E355 NBK). Shipping fee applies.
Related Products – Precision Tubes
EN 10305-1 – General precision tubes (this product)
EN 10305-4 – Precision tubes for hydraulic/pneumatic systems
EN 10297-1 – Mechanical engineering tubes
DIN 2391 – German standard precision tubes (withdrawn)
ASTM A519 – Seamless mechanical tubing (US equivalent)
Tags: EN 10305 Precision Tube Seamless Cold Drawn E355 42CrMo4 Hydraulic Cylinder Tube EN 10305-4 Cold Drawn Tube Precision Steel Tube
Quick Reference – EN 10305 Grade Selection
| Application | Grade | Delivery Condition | Yield (MPa) | Tensile (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General precision | E235 | NBK | ≥235 | 340-480 |
| Standard hydraulic cylinders | E355 | NBK | ≥355 | 450-620 |
| High strength hydraulic | E355 | BK | ≥450 | 560-780 |
| High pressure cylinders | 42CrMo4 | +QT | ≥550 | 700-900 |
| Heavy duty cylinders | 34CrMo4 | +QT | ≥550 | 700-850 |
Delivery Condition Summary
| Symbol | Description | Strength | Ductility | Surface | Weldability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BK | As-drawn | Highest | Lowest | Dull | Poor |
| BKW | Finish drawn | High | Medium | Bright | Medium |
| NBK | Normalized | Medium | High | Dull/satin | Excellent |
| GBK | Annealed | Lowest | Highest | Dull | Excellent |
| +QT | Quenched + tempered | Highest | Medium | Dark | Medium (alloy) |
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