Motion & Linkage
Stainless Steel Rod Ends
Our stainless steel rod ends are precision and durable for harsh environments. With more than 20 years of experience in serving OEM and industrial brand customers, we support customization of size, thread, and models. All stainless steel rod ends are CNC machined, with high strength, corrosion resistance, and smooth rotation performance. Select from greasable rod end and PTFE- lined rod end in Profab.
- ISO 9001 Certified
- Custom OEM Solutions
- Fast Global Shipping
- Technical Support
Product Range
Types of Stainless Steel Rod End Bearings
Profab offers multiple models of ss rod ends like XM/XF, CM/CF, JMX/JFX, SATK/SITK. Each model is designed with specific load capacities and thread types to meet diverse application needs.
We provide high-quality stainless steel rod ends and professional solutions to meet the diverse needs of various industries. Whether it’s standard parts or custom-made components, we offer trusted quality, quick response, and reliable delivery for clients worldwide.
XM / XF
| Design | Loader Slot |
| Thread | Male and Female, Left Hand and Right Hand |
| Race | PTFE Liner |
| Material | 304 Stainless Housing & 440C Ball (Optional 316 / 17-4PH) |
| Surface | Custom Finishing Available |
CM / CF
| Design | 2-Piece Construction |
| Thread | Male and Female, Left Hand and Right Hand |
| Race | No Liner |
| Material | 304 Stainless Housing & 440C Ball (Optional 316 / 17-4PH) |
| Surface | Custom Finishing Available |
JMX / JFX
| Design | 3-Piece Construction |
| Thread | Male and Female, Left Hand and Right Hand |
| Race | PTFE Liner |
| Material | 304 Stainless Housing & 440C Ball (Optional 316 / 17-4PH) |
| Surface | Custom Finishing Available |
SATK / SITK
| Design | 3-Piece Construction |
| Thread | Male (SATK) and Female (SITK), Left & Right Thread |
| Race | PTFE Liner |
| Material | 304/316 Stainless Body & 440C Ball |
| Surface | Custom Finishing Available |
Material Specification
Choosing the Right Grade
The housing material is what you’re really specifying when you order. The ball is always 440C. Below is a quick reference — wrong grade is the most common reason rod ends fail prematurely in corrosive environments.
304 Stainless
General-purpose grade. Good resistance to humidity, mild chemicals, and food-safe cleaning agents. Use this for indoor machinery, agricultural equipment, and dry-run automation.
Food · Automation · Indoor
316 / 316L
Molybdenum addition gives 316L roughly 3× better chloride resistance than 304. Required for marine applications, salt-spray environments, offshore, and food-grade lines with CIP chemical cleaning.
Marine · Chemical · Pumps
17-4PH
Precipitation-hardened grade. After H900 heat treatment, tensile strength reaches ~1310 MPa — significantly stronger than 316. Used in motorsport, aerospace, and high-cycle fatigue applications where load ratings matter more than cost.
Aerospace · Motorsport · Hi-load
440C Stainless Ball — Standard on All Series
440C is a martensitic stainless with hardness up to HRC 58 after heat treatment. It is the industry standard for rod end balls because it combines adequate corrosion resistance with the hardness needed to withstand Hertzian contact stress in the socket. All Profab rod ends use 440C balls unless specifically requested otherwise.
Rod End Accessories
Build a Complete Rod End System
Build a complete rod end system with precision-machined accessories manufactured to the same quality standards as your rod ends. Every component below is available in matching 304 or 316L stainless.
Pre-assembled combinations of rod end, jam nut, and selected accessories. You give us the linkage specification. We ship a ready-to-install kit. Every part in the kit shares the same material and batch traceability. No hunting for matching hardware from three different suppliers.
Clevis Joints For Rod Ends
High Misalignment Rod End
Studded Rod Ends
Rod Ends With Jam Nuts
Rod Ends Bungs
Rod End Linkage Adjuster
Turnbuckle Hex Bar
Uniball Cups
Why Material Selection Matters in Rod End Performance
Unlike many mechanical components, rod ends combine moving contact surfaces, exposed threads, and constant articulation within a single assembly. This makes them especially vulnerable to corrosion, contamination, and surface wear over time. In many cases, rod end failures begin not with overload, but with environmental damage that increases friction, restricts movement, and accelerates bearing wear.
Stainless steel addresses these issues at the material level rather than relying on plated or coated surfaces for protection. The naturally formed passive layer on 304 and 316 stainless steel helps resist rust, moisture intrusion, and chemical attack even when the component experiences repeated movement or minor surface abrasion. As a result, stainless steel rod ends often maintain smoother articulation, lower maintenance requirements, and longer service intervals in demanding operating environments.
Why Profab
Your Reliable Rod Ends Supplier
01
Precision Tolerances
02
Multiple Stainless Steel Grades
03
OEM Project Support
Technical Reference
Thread Sizes & Dimensions
| Thread (mm) | Bore (mm) | Thread (Inch) | Bore (Inch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5*0.8 | 5 | 10-32 | 0.1900 |
| M6*1.0 | 6 | 1/4-28 | 0.1900 |
| M8*1.25 | 8 | 1/4-28 | 0.2500 |
| M10*1.5 | 10 | 5/16-24 | 0.2500 |
| M10*1.25 | 10 | 5/16-24 | 0.3125 |
| M12*1.75 | 12 | 3/8-24 | 0.3125 |
| M12*1.25 | 12 | 3/8-24 | 0.3750 |
| M12*1.5 | 12 | 7/16-20 | 0.3750 |
| M14*2.0 | 14 | 7/16-20 | 0.4375 |
| M14*1.5 | 14 | 1/20-20 | 0.4375 |
| M16*2.0 | 16 | 1/20-20 | 0.5000 |
| M16*1.5 | 16 | 5/8-18 | 0.5000 |
| M18*1.5 | 18 | 3/4-16 | 0.5000 |
| M20*1.5 | 20 | 5/8-18 | 0.6250 |
| M22*1.5 | 22 | 5/8-18 | 12mm |
| M24*2.0 | 24 | 3/4-16 | 0.6250 |
| M30*2.0 | 30 | 3/4-16 | 0.7500 |
| M36*2.0 | 36 | 7/8-14 | 0.7500 |
| M42*2.0 | 42 | 7/8-14 | 0.8750 |
| M48*2.0 | 48 | 1 1/4-12 | 1.0000 |
| Custom | Custom | 1-14 | 1.0000 |
| 1-12 | 1.0000 | ||
| 1 1/4-12 | 1.2500 | ||
| 1 1/2-12 | 1.2500 | ||
| 1 1/2-12 | 1.5000 | ||
| 1 3/4-12 | 1.5000 | ||
| 1 3/4-12 | 1.7500 | ||
| 2-12 | 2.0000 | ||
| Custom | Custom |
FAQ
Common Questions
Not seeing your question? Email us at [email protected] and we typically reply same day.
What stainless steel grades do you offer? Can you provide Material Test Certificate (MTC)?
We routinely provide 304, 316, 316L, and other grades. We can provide Material Test Certificate (MTC) and proof of chemical composition upon request.
How to choose the right rod ends according to the load and working condition?
Please provide the maximum static/dynamic load, mounting geometry (swing angle), shaft diameter and frequency of use. We will recommend a model or give calibration suggestions based on the load table and fatigue data.
Are there low maintenance versions with self-lubricating or polymer bushings?
Yes. For applications requiring low friction or low maintenance, we offer variants with polymer bushings or self-lubricating liners to reduce the frequency of lubrication maintenance.
Related Products
Often Ordered Together
How to Order
From Inquiry to Delivery
1
2
3
4
Send Specs
Series, thread size, grade, hand, safety catch, quantity. DXF or drawing for custom items.
Respond Within 24 Hours
We will work on the best solution base on your request and send you a specific quote within 24 hours.
Production
7–15 days standard. Samples before full production run on new custom parts. QC report before shipment.
Delivery
Sea, air, or express courier. Material certs and inspection report inside every box. Tracking same day.
BLOG
Rod End Knowledge Base
How Are Rod Ends Measured?
Thread size alone does not define a rod end. Bore diameter, body width, housing OD, shank length, and misalignment angle all matter. Here is how to measure each one and what to do with the numbers.
Pitting Corrosion in Marine Rod Ends
316 stainless rod ends pit in marine service when the geometry, not just the grade, creates the conditions for chloride attack. This guide covers the mechanism, the specific failure sites in a rod end assembly, and the material and surface treatment decisions that prevent it.
How Shock Loads Damage Rod Ends
A rod end rated for your nominal load can still fail if shock loads are ignored. This article covers the four damage modes, the static rating rule for shock applications, and the design decisions that determine survival.
Factory Direct
Ready to Source Stainless Parts?
If you already have the drawings, please send email to [email protected] directly for an instant quote.
Profab
Request a Quote