As much of the United States continues to deal with winter weather, we are reminded that there’s cold and really cold. At Smart Products USA, we work with many customers with application requirements that must operate in frigid temperatures. From our years of experience, we are able to recommend plastic and o-ring materials with characteristics able to withstand these extreme conditions.
Customizable Low-Temperature Check Valve Materials
All check and pressure relief valves from Smart Products USA feature customizable components. More specifically, we have 9+ plastic body materials and 7+ O-ring materials to meet a wide variety of device requirements. Our vast knowledge of each material helps us advise customers on the ideal components for their unique application’s needs.
Types of Low-Temperature Check Valves We Offer
Our low-temperature check valves are also ideal for low-flow, low-pressure environments, making them a versatile choice for many different applications.
These valves are available in the following series:
Plastic Material Recommendations for Cold Conditions
For plastics, cold environments can often make them brittle – they will still work, but their tensile strength is affected by this condition. This is why we often recommend valves with acrylic bodies, as acrylic is known to be a very strong material with a good tensile strength. Additionally, acrylic performs in temperatures as low as -76 °F. Another plastic recommendation for cold temperatures is ABS, which will perform in temperatures as low as -4 °F.
O-Ring Options for Low-Temperature Check Valve Applications
Paired with either of the above materials, any of our O-ring options work in negative temperatures. We typically recommend silicone or EPDM for ultra-cold environments, but a more specific suggestion on all materials will depend on application requirements. Keep in mind, O-rings become stiff in cold temperatures and may not seal as well, which could affect the valve’s performance.
Silicone is an O-ring material we most recommend due to its excellent rating for sealing versus other O-ring materials. This particular material seals best because its compounds are very soft and will seal better with poppets as well as external bodies. Silicone O-rings have a minimum temperature around -65 °F. EPDM is also a popular O-ring material for cold conditions, and it has a minimum temperature around -60 °F.
Common Low-Temperature Environments That Benefit from Check Valves
Low-temperature check valves, O-rings, and other materials support a wide range of industries that depend on reliable performance in cold conditions. Some common environments and their applications that would benefit from these low-temperature materials include:
- Automotive – Cold-start fluid systems, fuel handling in winter climates, batteries, and EV management
- Chemical processing – Dosing equipment, cold-room fluid transfer, and temperature-sensitive media handling
- Food and beverage – Refrigerated dispensing systems, beverage chillers, and cold storage fluid control
- Industrial – Winterized machinery, low-temperature process equipment, and outdoor fluid transfer
- Medical – Lab refrigeration units, diagnostic equipment, and controlled-temperature devices
- Pool and spa – Seasonal startup or shutdown systems, low-flow recirculation, and cold-weather protection components
- Water treatment – Cold-weather filtration, dosing systems, and low-pressure water movement
- Industrial cleaning – Chemical sprayers, detergent dispensing, and low-temperature washdown systems
General Guidance for Low-Temperature Material Selection
Please note, the above information is a general recommendation of materials we have seen to be successful with low-temperature environments. As always, Smart Products USA strongly advises that customers test products for each application-specific use. To ensure we create the right valve for your device, it is important to communicate any liquids or gases used, the application environment, and the intended shelf life with a product and application specialist.
Contact Smart Products USA for Cold-Environment Materials
Smart Products USA has been supplying reliable, customizable components for more than 35 years to a wide range of industries. If you have any questions about which low-temperature check valve is right for your application, or the materials used for it, we’re here to help.
Please contact our team today for cold-environment materials!
