SMC to AirTAC cylinder cross-reference (ISO 15552)
The verified equivalents for SMC C96 profile cylinders — with the spec differences shown, not hidden.
SMC’s C96 ISO 15552 cylinders cross-reference to AirTAC’s SAI series. Both declare conformance to ISO 15552, so for a given bore they share the mounting interface and the rod-end thread — the mount is a drop-in. Three things differ, and you set all three when you order: the port thread (SMC ships G/BSPP; order the AirTAC SAI with a G port to match), the seal compound (SMC is NBR as standard; specify NBR on the AirTAC), and the minimum operating pressure (AirTAC 0.15 MPa vs SMC 0.05 MPa — only relevant at very low pressure). Overall verdict: equivalent-with-changes.
Verified cross-references
AirTAC International Group is headquartered in Taiwan and manufactures in mainland China (Ningbo, Foshan) and Taiwan. Each card below shows the side-by-side specs and cites its catalog sources.
| Spec | SMC | AirTAC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bore | 32 mm | 32 mm | match |
| Stroke | 100 mm | 100 mm | match |
| Mounting | ISO 15552 | ISO 15552 | shared mount |
| Rod-end thread | M10 × 1.25 | M10 × 1.25 | match |
| Port thread | G 1/8 (BSPP) | 1/8 — G optional | order G to match |
| Seal | NBR | TPU — NBR optional | order NBR to match |
| Min. pressure | 0.05 MPa | 0.15 MPa | higher — low-pressure only |
Before you substitute: Same ISO 15552 mount and rod-end thread — dimensionally interchangeable on the mounting. To match the SMC on plumbing and media, order the AirTAC SAI with a G (BSPP) port and NBR seals. The higher minimum operating pressure (0.15 vs 0.05 MPa) only matters at very low pressure.
Sources: SMC C96/CP96 catalog (CAT.EUS20-204B-UK); AirTAC SAI ISO 15552 catalog. Both series declare ISO 15552. Verified 2026-07-24.
| Spec | SMC | AirTAC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bore | 50 mm | 50 mm | match |
| Stroke | 100 mm | 100 mm | match |
| Mounting | ISO 15552 | ISO 15552 | shared mount |
| Rod-end thread | M16 × 1.5 | M16 × 1.5 | match |
| Port thread | G 1/4 (BSPP) | 1/4 — G optional | order G to match |
| Seal | NBR | TPU — NBR optional | order NBR to match |
| Min. pressure | 0.05 MPa | 0.15 MPa | higher — low-pressure only |
Before you substitute: Same ISO 15552 mount and rod-end thread — dimensionally interchangeable on the mounting. To match the SMC on plumbing and media, order the AirTAC SAI with a G (BSPP) port and NBR seals. The higher minimum operating pressure (0.15 vs 0.05 MPa) only matters at very low pressure.
Sources: SMC C96/CP96 catalog (CAT.EUS20-204B-UK); AirTAC SAI ISO 15552 catalog. Both series declare ISO 15552. Verified 2026-07-24.
| Spec | SMC | AirTAC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bore | 63 mm | 63 mm | match |
| Stroke | 200 mm | 200 mm | match |
| Mounting | ISO 15552 | ISO 15552 | shared mount |
| Rod-end thread | M16 × 1.5 | M16 × 1.5 | match |
| Port thread | G 3/8 (BSPP) | 3/8 — G optional | order G to match |
| Seal | NBR | TPU — NBR optional | order NBR to match |
| Min. pressure | 0.05 MPa | 0.15 MPa | higher — low-pressure only |
Before you substitute: Same ISO 15552 mount and rod-end thread — dimensionally interchangeable on the mounting. To match the SMC on plumbing and media, order the AirTAC SAI with a G (BSPP) port and NBR seals. The higher minimum operating pressure (0.15 vs 0.05 MPa) only matters at very low pressure.
Sources: SMC C96/CP96 catalog (CAT.EUS20-204B-UK); AirTAC SAI ISO 15552 catalog. Both series declare ISO 15552. Verified 2026-07-24.
What matches, and what to set when you order
ISO 15552 is the metric standard for detachable-mounting profile cylinders. It fixes the mounting dimensions and the rod-end thread for each bore, so two cylinders that both declare ISO 15552 conformance are interchangeable on the mount by definition. That is why the bore, stroke, mounting, rod-end thread, maximum and proof pressure, and cushioning class all match between the C96 and the SAI.
The differences are in the specs ISO 15552 does not fix:
- Port thread.SMC ships the C96 with a G (BSPP) port as standard. AirTAC’s SAI default is an inch pipe thread, with G available as an option — so order the SAI with the G suffix and the port matches your SMC. See port threads: G (BSPP) vs NPT.
- Seal compound.SMC’s standard seal is NBR (nitrile). AirTAC’s SAI default is TPU, with NBR and Viton as order options — specify NBR to match the SMC for standard dry-air duty.
- Minimum operating pressure. The SAI starts at 0.15 MPa, against 0.05 MPa for the C96. This only matters if you actuate at very low pressure; at normal working pressure it makes no difference.
We do not publish a cycle-life figure for either series because neither manufacturer publishes one — so we do not claim one. Where a spec is not in the primary catalog, we leave it out rather than guess.
Frequently asked
Is AirTAC a drop-in replacement for SMC ISO 15552 cylinders?
On the mounting, yes — SMC's C96 and AirTAC's SAI series both declare ISO 15552, so for a given bore they share the mounting interface and the rod-end thread. Overall it is an equivalent-with-changes: order the AirTAC SAI with a G (BSPP) port and NBR seals to match the SMC, and note AirTAC's higher minimum operating pressure (0.15 vs 0.05 MPa), which only matters at very low pressure.
Which AirTAC series matches SMC's C96?
AirTAC's SAI series (legacy designation SI) is its ISO 15552 profile cylinder — the direct counterpart to SMC's C96. Both series declare conformance to ISO 15552.
Do I need to change the mounting when I switch?
No. ISO 15552 fixes the mounting dimensions, so a same-bore SAI cylinder uses the same mounting pattern and rod-end thread as the C96. The differences are in the port thread, the seal compound, and the minimum operating pressure — not the mount.
Is AirTAC a Chinese brand?
AirTAC International Group is headquartered in Taiwan and manufactures in mainland China (Ningbo and Foshan) and Taiwan. Its cylinders are China-manufactured.
Sources
- SMC C96/CP96 catalog (CAT.EUS20-204B-UK) and SMC C96 product page — “Series C96 cylinders conform to ISO 15552.”
- AirTAC SAI series ISO 15552 catalog — “In accordance with ISO15552 standard.”
- ISO 15552 — metric mounting and accessories dimensions for interchangeability.
Want a quote on the AirTAC equivalent?
Send us the SMC part you run today. We confirm the port thread, seal, and the rest of the spec match before you commit.