VALVE

A method for linearising the characteristic of a valve, and a valve for carrying out the method are proposed. The valve comprises a valve housing (50) with a nozzle support (51) on which a nozzle body (37) is mounted. A valve part (35), which can be operated electromagnetically and is guided in the valve housing (50), interacts with a valve seat (36) constructed in the nozzle body (37). Fluid is supplied under pressure to the valve (1), via a fuel supply line (17), which fluid can flow out under pressure, as a function of the opening duration of the valve, when the valve part (35) is lifted off the valve seat (36), via swirl ducts (36) and a preparation hole (40). In order to linearise the characteristic of the valve (1), preferably in the case of small controlled flow rates, an elastic damping element (54) is arranged close to the valve seat (36), which damping element damps pressure fluctuations when the valve is opened, in an axially fixed manner, and hence results in a linearisation of the characteristic.