Different Materials Of A Ball Valve

Different Materials Of A Ball Valve

Valves are small devices that are very common in most households and industries that deal with the moving or transporting media in a piping system or in an engine. Generally, these devices might be small, but they are very important components of a piping system. They are used to regulate, control or direct the flow of materials such as liquids, gas or slurries (liquids with suspended solids), in a piping system. Sometimes, the proper functioning of a system depends on the condition of the valve. If a valve gets damaged or faulty, it can lead to several performance problems.

Valves are versatile devices that can serve https://www.kp-lok.com/product/purge-valves/ many purposes, however, some purposes require different types of valves with different configurations. There are many types and models of a valve, each with its own unique functionality and features. One of the most common and widely used type of valve is the Ball Valve.

A ball valve is a type of quarter-turn valve that uses a ball to regulate the flow of materials in a system. The ball has a big hole drilled through its center that it uses to control the flow of material in a piping system. Ball valves are very strong, easy to repair, versatile and are less prone to leaks, which makes them perfect for shutoff and control applications. Ball valves are also very effective in applications involving high temperature and pressure as they can withstand temperatures up to 400⁰C and pressures up to 1000bar, depending on the design and the material it is made with.

Just like valves generally, ball valves can be made with a host of materials, with the most common ones being:

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride (popularly called PVC) is a form of plastic that is most commonly used for making ball valve. Ball valves made of PVC do not rust or corrode easily, they do not block or leak easily, and they are resistant to water, chemicals, even acids. They are easier to install and repair which makes them suitable for applications where there would be need to change valves frequently.

Steel

Steel is a very hard metal, which makes ball valves made from steel very strong and durable. Steel ball valves will withstand higher temperature and pressure than most other materials and can resist leaks better over time. These valves are suitable for most applications ranging from industrial use to food and beverage production.

Brass or Bronze

Brass and Bronze are both alloys of copper and are both stronger and more resistant to corrosion than plastic. Ball valves made from brass or bronze are fairly more resistant to higher temperature and pressure than plastics, but are not suitable for high temperature or pressure application. Also, these ball valves contain lead – although in a minimal amount – and are not suitable for food production processes due to concerns about lead poisoning.

Conclusion

Ball valves can be made from a lot of different materials, which means there’s a variety of options available when choosing a ball valve. Each of these materials have their own unique features which makes them suitable for particular applications. However, these materials also have their limitations and you should get familiar with them before choosing a ball valve.