ISO 5597:2010 establishes the preferred range of nominal dimensions and associated tolerances for a series of hydraulic cylinder rod and piston seal housings for reciprocating applications in the following range of dimensions: cylinders 16 mm to 500 mm and rods 6 mm to 360 mm.

An additional range of seal housings is detailed in ISO 5597:2010 to meet the reduced envelope requirements of the 160 bar (16 MPa) compact series of ISO 6020-2; these smaller section seals require stricter piston rod and cylinder bore tolerances. The range of dimensions are as follows: cylinders 25 mm to 200 mm and rods 12 mm to 140 mm.

ISO 5597:2010 does not give details of seal design, since the manner of construction of seals varies with each manufacturer. The design and material of the seal and any incorporated anti-extrusion component are determined by conditions such as temperature and pressure.

ISO 5597:2010 applies only to the dimensional criteria of products manufactured in conformity with ISO 5597:2010; it does not apply to their functional characteristics.