Valves control the flow of liquids, gases, and other fluids through infrastructure like pipes, holds, and other enclosures. For industrial plastic valves, the ability to maintain a seal that prevents or partially obstructs flow is essential, which means that valve components must be dimensionally stable and resistant to wear.
Our advanced polymers help solve common challenges in valve applications, including swelling due to moisture absorption, slippage due to abrasion, and part failure due to wear. Parts made with advanced plastics like those discussed here exhibit strong dimensional stability and other essential properties, maintaining form and function throughout an extended service life.
The challenge: A new type of military explosive demanded precise temperature control of 300° F / 149° C, as well as exact metering of explosive material into the fill chamber. The explosive material was also very abrasive, and system failure could result in critical down time.
The solution: We selected our Duratron® T4501 PAI material for the kettle gate drop-down valve, for its low coefficient of thermal expansion, mechanical strength and stiffness, and resistance to high temperatures.
The results: Duratron® T4501 PAI is dimensionally stable and resistant to abrasion, resulting in an industrial plastic valvethat maintained integrity in extreme conditions and under the tight tolerances required of the control gates. The new PAI valve also has excellent wear resistance properties, extending service life and reducing down time due to part failure.
PRODUCT: Duratron® T4501 PAI
INDUSTRY: Military, public safety & defense
APPLICATION: Explosive material kettle gate drop-down valve
The challenge: Valve spool and piston components in liquid filling machines were historically made from stainless steel, which was costly and required constant lubrication. This prompted the OEM to look for FDA-compliant plastic materials. The polymer replacement would need to have exceptionally low moisture absorption and withstand constant contact with liquids, ranging from sauces and food to cleaning agents.
The solution: Ertalyte® PET-P was chosen for its excellent wear performance, minimal moisture absorption, and low thermal expansion. Other polymers like acetals, nylons, and UHMW-PE wore too quickly, absorbed too much moisture, or could not withstand the pressure necessary to perform as pistons and valve spools in this application.
The results: The Ertalyte® PET-P valve spools and pistons delivered cost savings and performance advantages without sacrificing the accuracy of the filling systems. The machined PET-P parts hold +/- 0.0007- inch tolerances on the diameter of the piston and valves – an essential property for performance. Thick wall sections, very tight tolerances, and limited production volumes made machining the best manufacturing choice for the valve components.
PRODUCT: Ertalyte® PET-P
INDUSTRY: Food & Beverage
APPLICATION: Piston and valves in liquid filling equipment
The challenge: The existing acetal valves that controlled the foaming agent in the proportioner unit were absorbing moisture and swelling out of tolerance. This led the fire equipment company to look for a material replacement that would perform better and last longer, without increasing component weight.
The solution: Valve openings, O-ring slots, and grooves for gripping the knob can be easily machined from our Ertalyte® PET-P, which is similar in weight to acetal, but doesn’t swell with prolonged exposure to the foaming agent.
The results: The new Ertalyte® PET-P valves exhibit superior mechanical strength, making them able to withstand the high discharge pressures of the foam injection system. It also has excellent machinability and chemical resistance, making it ideal for maintaining tolerances in the harsh operating environment.
PRODUCT: Ertalyte® PET-P
INDUSTRY: Military, public safety & defense
APPLICATION: Valves for firefighting foam equipment
The challenge: Dosing valves in beef processing production equipment are difficult to manufacture due to tight tolerances and extremely difficult machining along the internal contour of the component. Materials for these parts must demonstrate excellent dimensional stability in order be machined with such precision, and to maintain their tolerances through harsh cleaning cycles.
The solution: Our Ketron® 1000 PEEK material was selected for these dosing valves, manufactured from >7” (>17.8 cm) diameter rods. Importantly, this PEEK material has CIP / SIP compatibility, is FDA-compliant, and can be more easily machined for this application than historical materials.
The results: Ketron® 1000 PEEK has excellent dimensional stability, making it an ideal material for dosing valves and other applications with demanding component design and tight tolerances. The new PEEK valves also exhibit chemical and corrosion resistance that extend service life in an operating environment requiring regular intensive cleaning.
PRODUCT: Ketron® 1000 PEEK
INDUSTRY: Food processing
APPLICATION: Beef processing equipment valve
The challenge: In diesel engines, a positive spring-operated valve serves as an air intake cut-off device that provides emergency overspeed protection. Overspeed can result from the presence of combustible vapors in the atmosphere, making proper function of the swing gate valve critical to preventing this situation.
The solution: Designing a shut-off valve with a full floating phenolic insert from our Nylatron® GSM PA6 provides positive sealing when closed, and ensures proper functioning throughout its service life.
The results: Nylatron® GSM PA6 nylon valves are wear-resistant, dimensionally stable, and mechanically strong – maintaining impact strength at both high and sub-zero temperatures. The new nylon shut-off valve outperforms parts made with traditional aluminum, brass, and stainless steel.
PRODUCT: Nylatron® GSM PA6
INDUSTRY: Heavy machinery
APPLICATION: Emergency engine shut-off system
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