Ceramic Seals and Discs Manufacturer 

Valve Plates & Counterface Seals

Morgan Advanced Ceramics has extensive knowledge and skills in manufacturing and supplying volume precision valve plates and counterface seals. These components are used in a wide range of fluid and pneumatic control valve and seal assemblies. Why use ceramic seals and discs?  Better mechanical wear capability than traditional seal materials  High corrosion resistance to a wide variety of atmospheres and fluids  Surface finishes of better than 0.08 microns Ra are achievable  Flatness requirements of 2 helium light bands or higher can be met  Ceramic Advantages Include:  Superior wear resistance  No corrosion  Low coefficient of friction  Exceptional flatness <=0.6μm ( 2 helium lightbands)  Surface finish typically controlled to <0.4μm Ra  High dimensional and thermal stability  Zero Toxicity, Water Research Advisory Scheme (WRAS) and RoHS approved Applications Include:  Ceramic counterfaces  Pneumatic valves  Friction discs  Single-lever-mixer (SLM), 1/4 turn and 1/2 turn tap plates  Shower flow valves  Truck/cabin levelling air valves  Automotive water pumps  General domestic and industrial pumps  Medical control units  Blood separation

Ceramic Counterfaces
MAC Stourport’s water pump ceramic seal faces are technically advantageous over more traditional materials (steel, carbon and PTFE), particularly in terms of mechanical wear (ceramic is 5 to 10 times harder than other alternatives) and resistance to corrosion by coolants or system additives. Ceramic is also very stiff ensuring that the flatness is maintained even when subjected to the stresses of assembly.

Ceramic Counterface Applications
Applications range from automotive water pumps to domestic appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers. We also produce Ceramic counterfaces for industrial pump requirements.

Specialist Counterface Applications
Our counterface capability has lead to their use in industries outside of the usual spectrum of these components. One such example is the use of a clinically-trialled alumina counterface in a specialist medical pump application. 

Ceramic Pneumatic Slide Valves 
The principle of ceramic disc seals is also applicable to gaseous media. Valves, such as 5/2 directional control valves (manufactured to ISO 5599), are extremely reliable and are preferentially employed in a variety of applications, for instance within automotive assembly lines and also the oil and gas industries. The main advantages of such valves are:

• Very high number of actuation without functional impairment (approx. 5x10⁷)

• No abrasion due to dust-laden airflow

• No time-dependent increase in leakage compared to rubber seals

• Totally maintenance free for the service life of the seal

Friction Discs for the Textile Industry
MAC Stourport has been producing high quality textile products for over 30 years. Our friction discs are used by leading textile machine manufacturers and are recognised for their high quality and wear resistance, in addition to their competitive price. They are available in a range of sizes and surface finishes, providing texturising and conditioning to suit a wide range of synthetic yarns. [ Download our Friction Disc Brochure (PDF) ]

Tap and Faucet Components
Stourport has many years experience producing ceramic components for the tap and faucet industry. We supply a large range of single lever mixer cartridges and quarter and half turn tap plate designs to leading headwork and tap manufacturers. Surface finishes of 0.08microns Ra are routinely achieved and most designs are guaranteed to have a flatness of better than 2 helium light bands. All components are tested to withstand greater than 25 bar pressure, far in excess of normal tap pressures (typically 0.5 to 3 bar).

Ceramic Pneumatic Slide Valves 

The principle of ceramic disc seals is also applicable to gaseous media. Ceramic directional control valves are extremely reliable and are preferentially employed in a variety of applications, for instance within automotive assembly lines and also the oil and gas industries. The main advantages of such valves are: 

• Very high number of actuation without functional impairment ( 5x107)

• No abrasion due to dust-laden airflow 

• No time-dependent increase in leakage compared to rubber seals 

• Totally maintenance free for the service life of the seal

Materials

MAC materials used within plate and discs applications belong to the Alumina family (MAC grades - Hilox™: 961, 965, 991, 880 & 882)

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Contact Details for Ceramic Valve Plates & Counterface Seals Enquiries