Plastics industry

The plastics industry deals with the production of various different synthetic products from a variety of raw materials. Plastics are processed into semi-finished products, moulded parts or fibres. Plastics production is split into three types of plastics: thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers and elastomers. In all three branches, valves control the transport of powders, granulates and fibres, irrespective of whether the transported medium is an intermediate or end product.

Thermoplastics are plastics that are pliable within a particular temperature range and then retain their form after cooling. This process is reversible, which means it can be repeated as often as desired. Thermoplastics are usually used for consumer goods and packagings. This group of plastics includes polyurethane, polypropylene and polyester.

Thermosetting polymers are formed by melting together various different components. After curing, they are then hard and brittle. Thermosetting polymers also retain their form when reheated. This class of plastics includes synthetic resins such as epoxy resin. They are used for, amongst other things, car body parts, housings for electrical elements and fibre-reinforced composite materials.

In contrast, elastomers are stable but elastic plastics. They respond to pressure and stretching by temporarily changing their shape – i.e. their form can be changed for a short period of time. If the external influence placed on the elastomer is removed, the material automatically returns to its original form. Elastomers include, amongst others, natural rubber (NR) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber). Elastomers are primarily used in the production of tyres.

AKO Armaturen also relies on different types of elastomer for the production of the pinch valve sleeves: from natural rubber, EPDM and nitrile through to hypalon and butyl.

Pinch valves from AKO Armaturen are the perfect choice for controlling the transport of raw materials such as soot, talc, chalk, graphite, sand and zinc oxide, additives such as plasticisers, stabilisers or dyes or even finished plastics in fibre, granulate or powder form.

The material used for the valve components can be specifically composed to meet the requirements of the specific medium and thus guarantee the best possible functionality and a long service life.
Another field of application are filling plants for intermediate substances in which granulates or fibres are packaged for transport to further processing stages. Pinch valves from AKO Armaturen can be relied on to control the filling of various different containers and big bags.