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Spool valves use sliding cylindrical elements with radial clearances for sealing and provide smooth flow transitions, while poppet valves employ axial seating with positive shut-off and typically offer superior sealing but with more abrupt flow characteristics.
Glandless spool valve technology eliminates traditional O-ring seals and gland packings by using precision-machined clearances, magnetic coupling, or integrated sealing mechanisms that prevent contamination ingress while maintaining zero external leakage and superior reliability.
Spool lap configuration—the dimensional relationship between spool lands and valve ports—determines whether a valve has continuous flow (underlap), positive shut-off (overlap), or instantaneous switching (zero-lap), directly affecting cylinder control characteristics, positioning accuracy, and energy efficiency.
Proper valve seal material selection requires matching elastomer chemistry to operating conditions: NBR for general purpose applications, FKM (Viton®) for chemical resistance and high temperatures, and HNBR for enhanced performance across broader temperature and chemical ranges, with compatibility determined by polymer structure and additive packages.
Spool stiction results from molecular-level adhesion forces between valve surfaces and contamination deposits, primarily varnish-like compounds formed through oxidation, polymerization, and thermal degradation of lubricants and airborne contaminants, creating static friction forces that exceed normal actuating forces.
