magnetic field than is currently required in a solenoid operated valve is required when this improved armature is used since the improved armature has more efficient magnetic properties greater diametric clearances between the guide tube bore and the armature may be realized with greater clearances the solenoid becomes much less sensitive to dirt or contaminants that might impede the operation or movement of the armature during valve operation since the solenoid needs to generate less of a magnetic field with this improved armature it is possible to eliminate some of the windings of the solenoid and or increase the magnet wire diameters which are more easily fabricated and assembled in the solenoid resulting in additional cost savings in construction of valves a seal component 32a is secured within magnetically responsive tubular housing 34 seal component 32a has a valve seat engaging end 44 located proximately to the first open end 36 of magnetically responsive tubular housing 34 valve seat engaging end 44 is designed to be sealingly engageable with a valve seat 30 fig1 the seal component 32a also has an opposite end 46 located proximately to second open end 38 of magnetically responsive tubular housing 34 opposite end 46 operates as a shock absorbing means to prevent possible damage which could be caused by impact of the armature 30 with closed end 48 of the guide tube.