Major improvements in elastomer resistance to abrasion, chemicals, pressure, temperature, as well as significant improvements in pinch valve design technology, have expanded the applications with the introduction of high-quality pinch valves. One of the reasons for increased usage is the availability of On/Off and throttling designs in standard ASME/ANSI B.16.1, DIN and ISO face-to-face dimensions. Users are no longer limited to non-standard face-to-face designs that make maintenance problematic and restrict wider use throughout a facility. Other improvements include the ability to detect tube wear as well as redesigned elastomer tubes that ensure higher cycles and extended tube life because the elastomer is not stretched during the closing of the valve. Specialized constructs also allow for operation on the suction side of a pump and in vacuum conditions without collapse.

For pinch valves, the initial purchase price is just one portion of the total ownership cost. As erosive and corrosive media wear the elastomer liner, it must eventually be replaced. Elastomer quality, price, and frequency of liner replacement are a major component of life-cycle costing, as are direct and indirect costs of valve removal and reinstallation (manpower required, hours, equipment), downtime, repair, product loss, contamination, clean up, and other factors per incident. Accordingly, paying a bit more for quality at the outset can often be recouped in less than a year by simply avoiding the cost of one maintenance incident.

(Explore the latest technology for lowest cost of ownership in both automated On/Off or throttling services.)