A Pinch Valve is a full bore or fully ported type of control valve which presents no obstruction to flow passage. There are a few types of Pinch Valve based upon application.

Pinch Valves are made up of 3 different parts:

- Body
- Ends (Flanged/Screwed)
- Sleeve/Liner/Insert

AKO Screwed Pinch Valves
Air pressure is used to close screwed Pinch Valves. They have screwed end connections, and are available in sizes 10mm to 50mm.

AKO Flanged Pinch Valves
Air pressure is used to close flanged Pinch Valves. They have flanged end connections, and sizes range from 40mm to 250mm. Our flanges conform to BS4504 (New British Standard) NP (Nominal Pressure) 16. We do not conform to BS10 (Old British Standard).

Both types of Pinch Valves above are available either operated by hand (manual) or by air (pneumatic).

Industries using Pinch Valves include:

- Food & Breweries
- Pharmaceutical
- Water
- Foundry (Sand, Cement, Solids etc)
- Tankers
- Chemicals
- Silos
- Sewage
- Agricultural
…plus many more!

Some materials are more abrasive than others and have different requirements. This will effect the type of sleeve, body, and possibly the type of ends needed for a particular job or application.

Softer sleeve materials are more efficient for the more abrasive products. Our standard Natural Rubber sleeves are popular because they are ideal for handling many abrasive products up to 80 degrees C.

Types of Rubber Sleeves available for Pinch Valves:

- Natural Rubber: General use.

- Natural Rubber Food Quality: FDA Approved for the Food industry.

- High Temperature Natural Rubber: When operating levels are between 80-90 degrees C.

- EPDM: Suitable for products up to 120 degrees C, also available in food quality versions white/black.

- Viton

- Nitrile: Also available in food quality versions white/black.

- Silicon

- Hypalon

- Butyle

Pinch Valve body materials include Aluminium, POM (Polyoxymethalene), PVC, or Stainless Steel which is likely to be used in the food industry or in a corrosive environment.

How does a Pinch Valve work?

The controlling medium of air pressure or water is used between the valve body and the sleeve to give 100% closure (even against large abrasive particles) of the Pinch Valve. Exhausting this pressure causes the valve to immediately open. When open the sleeve allows full, unobstructed flow. The valve is operated via a solenoid/control valve and therefore does not need an expensive actuator.