THERMAL PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM ALLOYS

ALLOY DENSITY THERMAL SPECIFIC REMARKS

NAME/MATERIAL (Kg/m3) CONDUCTIVITY HEAT
NAME (W/m-K) (J/Kg-K)

ALUMINUM 6061-T6; 2700 167 (at 25 Degree C) 896

6061-T651
ALUMINUM 6063-T6 2700 200 (at 25 Degree C) 900

Coaxial Valve - Materials of Construction.

Coaxial solenoid operated valves construction allows the media to be only in contact with the valve
body, seals and coaxial internal stainless steel tube so media compatibility is confined to only these three
areas, and the tube is made from corrosion resistant 316 stainless steel thus helping further.
Coaxial solenoid valves are typically available in Steel, Brass, AISI304 or AISI316 stainless steel with
seal options from PTFE, and elastomer seals NBR, EPDM or FKM which allows combinations to suit
most media and environmental applications and requirements.
2/2 Way Coax Solenoid Valves:

2 port 2 position solenoid actuated coaxial valves have one inlet port and one outlet port with two
possible valve positions, either open or closed. These two positions can be either be:
Fail safe closed (normally closed) that prevent the flow of media requiring electrical power 24vdc or
230vac etc to open or
Fail-safe open (normally open) that allow the flow of media but requires electrical power 24vdc or
230vac etc or signal to close.
The method of operation is with an electro magnet or solenoid coil around an internal stainless armature
and tube assembly. The electromagnetic coil simply converts the electrical energy supplied into a
magnetic field that can laterally move this internal tube towards or away from a sealing face thus
changing the state of the valve i.e. closed to open or open to closed.
2/2 way coaxial solenoid valves are available in a wide range of port or connections sizes and types. The
most commonly used are BSP (British Standard Pipe) threaded valves what are typically used within the
European market or NPT (National Pipe Taper) thread typically for the American market, with additional
options for flanged ends according to flange size, flange type and flange pressure ratings.

What is a solenoid valve coil?

The purpose of a solenoid valve coil is to convert electrical energy into linear motion. The coil
consists of copper wire (or aluminum) wound around a hollow form. When electric current flows
through the coil, a magnetic field is created. This is accomplished by placing a ferromagnetic core
inside the coil. In a solenoid valve, the ferromagnetic core is called the valve plunger. When the
current flows through the coil, the lines of magnetic flux turn the plunger into an electromagnet.
The magnetic field causes the plunger to slide further up into the coil, opening the valve body orifice
or pilot orifice.

Solenoid Valve Coils (DC) and Electrical Polarity

A common question about solenoid valve coils is whether the electrical current polarity matters in
a DC coil. Most coils with lead wires use the same color wire for both terminals and have no polarity
markings. The answer is that polarity does not matter. You can connect the positive terminal to
either of the two wires without affecting the operation of the valve.
Coaxial Solenoid and Externally Controlled Valves.
A coaxial solenoid valve can be electro mechanically or coaxial pneumatically controlled valve i.e. is directly
controlled by either an electric current or by a pneumatic (pressurised gas) supply to produce a lateral
mechanical function. In the case of a two port coaxial valve the flow is switched on or off, in the case of a
three port coaxial valve, the out flow is switched between two outlet ports or multiple coaxial valves or
multifunction valves can be placed together on a manifold system.
Coaxial valves are most commonly used for precise control liquids and gases, whose task is to shut off,
release, dose, distribute or mix gas or liquid media. Coaxial valves offer fast and safe reliable switching, very
high liability, excellent medium compatibility of the materials of construction, low power or air consumption,
compact and high flow design for many vacuum, inert, aggressive, contaminated and glutinous liquids. The
coax valve design allows for vastly improved linear straight-line flow along a tube and does not suffer the
same restrictions normally found with a basic solenoid operated valve that suffers from an arduous flow path.
Coaxial valve construction consists of a laterally mounted tube usually mounted in a Brass or Stainless Steel
housing allowing for lateral tube movement from (to open allowing media flow) or against (to close preventing
media flow) a range of static elastomer rubber NBR, FKM, EPDM or PTFE seals.

Coax Valve Operation.

Coaxial valves are all characterised as direct acting, in both solenoid (see picture left hand side) and
externally piloted (external gas or air supply see right hand side) as the controlling mechanical function is
direct linked to the open and close function of the valve and does not reply on any system pressure to
perform this function. Thus a coaxial valve can work from vacuum to pressures exceeding 200 bar (2942 psi
or pounds per square inch) and with PTFE seals can withstand temperatures up to 200 degrees centigrade.
Typically Port P is inlet pressure and Port A is accessory or outlet port.
Coaxial Valve Function.
Based on a coaxial valve with 2 ports. If the coaxial valve is closed without actuation (without electrical power
or air supply), then the 2 ports are isolated and media cannot flow; when the coaxial valve is actuated then
the media may flow between the ports, this function is deemed as normally closed or fail-safe closed.
If the coaxial valve is open without actuation (without electrical power or air supply), then the 2 ports are
open and media can flow; when the coaxial valve is actuated then the media cannot flow between the ports
and they are isolated, this function is deemed as normally open or fail-safe open.
There are also 3-way and manifold design options also found. A 3-way coaxial valve has 3 ports; it connects
one port to either of the other two ports (typically a supply port to an exhaust or diverting port). The picture
on the left shows a 3 way solenoid operated coaxial valve, the picture on the right shows an externally
compressed air operated 3 way coaxial valve.
Here flow is diverted to the third port (port R exhaust port), for example typically flow is controlled from port
P (inlet) to port A outlet and then from port A outlet back thought to port R (exhaust), much like a 3/2 solenoid
valve for cylinder or actuator control, however coaxial valves can control much higher flow, pressure and a
broader range of sizes and media. Unlike standard solenoid valves coaxial valves can control flow in both
directions, typically in reverse will be reduced pressure range of about 16 bar.
Coax Valve Port Sizes.
Coaxial valves are usually available in a range of port sizes typically in threaded BSP or NPT in 1/8", 1/4",
3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 11/4", 11/2" and 2" thread or more with range of flange PN16, PN25, PN40, PN100
options. The port size generally does not affect the flow rate unless the port is smaller than the internal tube
diameter sometimes referred to as the orifice size.
Coaxial Valve Orifice and Flow Rates.
There are a range of internal tube diameter sizes available for coaxial valves (both solenoid and
pneumatically operated) typically 2.0mm, 3.0mm, 4.0mm, 5.0mm, 6.0mm,10.0mm, 15.0mm, 20.0mm,
25.0mm, 32.0mm, 40.0mm and 50mm. The tube internal diameter typically determines the flow rate
(excepting that the port size nominal bore is of equal size or more) offering a specific flow coefficient
according to tube diameter. For example in the case of a 2-way coaxial valve typical Kv flow coefficients in
litres per minute would be:

Tube Diameter Flow

(mm) Litres / minute

10 51

15 91

20 145

25 205

32 333

40 637

50 787

In practical terms Kv flow coefficient is the amount of water at 20°C that would flow with a pressure drop of
1 kilogram per centimetre across the valve. i.e. the pressure difference between inlet and out let
pressure). Coaxial valve are available in 2/2 way (2 ports inlet and outlet) and 2 positions (fail safe open or
fail safe closed) and 3/2 way (3 ports for example 1 inlet and 2 outlets for diverting flow) with 2 positions (fail
safe open or fail safe closed against the second of third port). Due to the compact nature of coaxial valves
they can easily be mounted onto a manifold system with either common inlet or outlet.
Coax Valve Materials of Construction.
The valve body must be compatible with the media; common materials are steel, brass, AISI304 or AISI316
stainless steel. The seals must also be compatible with the fluid. To simplify the sealing issues, the valve
body and tube are exposed to the media, so they must be compatible as well. The requirement presents
some special but easily resolvable problems. The internal tube is typically 316 stainless steel that has a
great chemical resistance, however the valve body will so need to be compatible material. The surrounding
mechanical parts attached to the tube required for operation and the springs are sealed and are not exposed
to the media, unlike a standard solenoid valve where all internal parts must be considered.