What does high-viscosity mean?
Viscosity describes how resistant a medium is to flow. Pastes, gels, greases, sealants and adhesives or foams are examples of high-viscosity media – they resist flow far more than water.
New in the range · High viscosity
Valves for high-viscosity media: for pastes, gels, sealants and adhesives.
Viscous products place different demands on a valve than thin sprays. Valves for high-viscosity media are our new area – built on our experience with PU adapters, cartridges, metering valves and actuators.
Why special valves?
Narrow passages slow viscous media down considerably. Valves for high-viscosity media therefore need larger cross-sections, suitable seals and an actuation that opens and closes reliably even at high flow resistance.
What matters?
Even discharge, clean cut-off without after-flow, tightness over the storage period and an actuation force that remains comfortable for the user.
Design
What high viscosity means for the valve.
| Topic | Challenge at high viscosity | Design lever |
|---|---|---|
| Flow | High flow resistance, low discharge | Cross-sections and flow paths in the valve |
| Cut-off | After-flow and stringing at the outlet | Geometry of valve seat and actuator |
| Tightness | Medium attacks the seal or cures | Seal material and seal geometry to suit the medium |
| Actuation | High force needed to open | Lever, spring travel and contact surface of the actuator |
| Emptying | Product remains in the container | Choice of system, e.g. bag or piston system |
Note: The table describes the functional principle in general terms. Specific dimensions, materials, pressure ranges and approvals of our valves are defined per project and confirmed against your requirements.
Typical media
From gel to sealant.
High-viscosity products are found in many industries: gels and creams in personal care, pastes and greases in engineering, sealants and adhesives in construction, foams such as PU foam. All of them should be dispensed in a controlled, clean and as complete a manner as possible.
Depending on the product, different systems can be considered for such media – from a valve with adapted passages and bag-on-valve to cartridge and piston. Which solution fits is clarified on the basis of your medium.
Our basis
Experience with viscous media – in series production.
We have been working with viscous media for many years: PU adapters with seal and hose, double cartridges, pistons and dispensing nozzles and metering valves are part of our range. This knowledge of passages, sealing points and actuation feeds into the new valve area.
Development, toolmaking, sampling and series production take place at our site in Heede near Hamburg. Specific performance values are defined together with you as part of the project specification.
FAQ
Questions about valves for high-viscosity media.
What is a high-viscosity medium?
A medium that flows with difficulty – such as pastes, gels, greases, sealants and adhesives or foams. Viscosity is usually stated in mPa·s; the higher the value, the more viscous the medium.
Why do standard aerosol valves often not work well with viscous media?
Their passages are designed for thin, sprayable formulations. Viscous media therefore flow too slowly, drip after use or can only be dispensed with high force.
What information do you need for a quotation?
Medium, viscosity, container, required discharge, annual volume and schedule. Information on compatibility with plastics and seal materials is also helpful.
Which viscosities do your valves cover?
This is defined per project. Without approved documents we do not state general viscosity ranges or performance values.
Can a valve for high-viscosity media be combined with bag-on-valve?
Yes, BOV systems are in principle also suitable for higher-viscosity products. Whether the combination makes sense for your medium is checked in the project.
Together to series production
Your medium. Our valve expertise.
Send us medium, viscosity, container and annual volume – we will reply with a technical assessment.