Difference Between Honed Tubes and DOM Tubes
Buyers often ask whether DOM (drawn over mandrel) tube can replace honed tube in a hydraulic cylinder. Both start as steel tube, but the finishing operations — and therefore the performance — are very different.
DOM tube in short
DOM tube is cold drawn over a mandrel, giving good concentricity and mechanical properties. Its bore, however, is not held to hydraulic tolerances and its surface is not honed. Used as a cylinder barrel without further work, DOM tube gives inconsistent seal compression and shorter seal life.
Honed tube in short
Honed tube has been skived, roller burnished and honed to an H7 bore with a controlled crosshatch finish. It is supplied ready to assemble, which removes an in-house honing operation from your production line.
Side-by-side comparison
- Bore tolerance — DOM: commercial tolerance. Honed: H7 or equivalent.
- Surface finish — DOM: as-drawn. Honed: Ra 0.2–0.4 microns crosshatch.
- Ready to use — DOM: needs honing. Honed: assemble directly.
- Seal life — DOM: reduced and inconsistent. Honed: maximised.
- Total cost — DOM looks cheaper per metre, but in-house honing, scrap and warranty claims usually close the gap.
Which should you buy?
For hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder barrels, buy honed tube. Reserve DOM tube for structural, spacer or low-pressure applications where bore finish does not control performance.
Frequently asked questions
Can DOM tube be used for a hydraulic cylinder?
Only after it is honed to hydraulic bore tolerance and finish. Using unhoned DOM tube as a barrel leads to internal leakage and premature seal failure.
Is honed tube more expensive than DOM tube?
Per metre yes, but honed tube removes an in-house honing operation, reduces scrap and improves seal life, which usually makes it cheaper on a delivered-cost basis.