A Guide to Choosing a Thermoplastic Valve
Did you know that we can trace the use of valves to the Roman empire and their formal canal systems? As a driving force in the industrial revolution, the use of valves has evolved to include plastics. Nowadays, almost all systems and processes need valves to regulate the flow of liquids and gases. Their presence may be found almost everywhere, including in private residences as well as public institutions such as hospitals and manufacturing facilities. As widespread as valves are, picking the correct one for the task is still a huge difficulty. If you’ve been wondering about the use of a thermoplastic valve, you’ve come to the right place.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown of how to choose the right thermoplastic valves for your needs.
What Is a Thermoplastic Valve?
For certain applications and media, thermoplastic valves are becoming more common. It is essential that the numerous advantages of plastic, as well as some of its limits, which render it inappropriate in some situations, be carefully evaluated in the search for alternative valve materials.
Plastic valves have only been around for a few decades. In contrast to the metal valve business, which most likely began in ancient Rome, this is a comparatively modern phenomenon. Although plastic valves have only been around for a short time, they have gone a long way.
What Kind of Plastic Should I Use and When?
Plastic materials, like their metallic counterparts, are not all the same. They are available in a variety of grades and may be used for a variety of purposes. today’s thermoplastic material of choice, PVC, is (polyvinyl chloride).
With a maximum pressure of 150 psi at 25 °C, PureValve PVC valves are suitable for use.
Even at 60oC, the pressure rating will drop as a result of the rise in heat. Chlorinated PVC (c-PVC) is a PVC variant that can withstand temperatures up to 80oC. PVDF (polytetrafluoroethylene) is another material designed for use in high-temperature and high-pressure environments.
It’s possible to create PVDF valves with pressure ratings of up to 230 psi and temperatures of up to 150 degrees Celsius.
Materials Breakdown
Chemical and wear resistance, as well as lubricity, are all strong points of acetal polymers. As a result of PVC’s excellent flexibility, smooth surfaces, and nontoxic properties, it’s widely used in the construction industry.
Then, in hot water distribution systems, chlorinated PVC (CPVC) is a good choice. Also, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has excellent chemical resistance and a low coefficient of friction, making it ideal for use in a wide range of applications.
Next, we have a material with excellent electrical qualities but low-temperature resistance, polyethylene (PE) is soft, flexible, and robust. As a result, it is prone to stress cracking and has low UV light resistance.
Polypropylene (PP) is comparable to PVC. However, it may be utilized in exposed applications because of its UV, weathering, and ozone resistance.
Finally, we have Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which has strong wear resistance and great chemical resistance. Yet, it does not function well at high temperatures.
Why Go For Plastic?
Compared to typical metal alloy valves, thermoplastic valves may provide substantial cost savings. As a result of their modest weight, the transportation costs are reduced, as well as the time and effort required to install and maintain them.
The dependability of thermoplastic valves is great for certain important applications, such as the production of corrosive chemicals or semiconductors. Thermoplastics excel in this particular application.
How to Pick the Right Thermoplastic Valves?
The system’s performance demands influence the valve’s selection. Are you in the market for thermoplastic butterfly valves? Or even a thermoplastic compressor valve?
Regardless, here are the five things to consider before purchasing a valve.
Check For Specialized Valve Requirements
Make certain that the valve you want to purchase will perform as expected before you buy it.
Ask yourself how long it takes for the valve to open and how much pressure you need for it to do so. Typically, you’ll want to take into account open versus closed valves since each serves a distinct function.
Pick the Right Construction Materials
Distinct materials have different properties, like strength and chemical resistance, which are used to construct valves.
As a result, it is essential that you grasp the valve’s mechanical and chemical properties. A valve’s reaction to the liquids or gases it passes through must be zero.
There are several advantages to using plastic valves when working with caustic or severe substances.
Size and Type of Valve
Sorts and sizes of valves govern the types of uses that may be made of them. Fluid/gas flow may be adjusted, mixed, diverted, or stopped off by using valves. In addition to preventing backflow and relieving pressure, these fittings have other applications. The kind of valve to use is determined by the purpose of the valve.
Among the most often used kinds of valves are:
- pinch valves;
- shutoff valves;
- regulators;
- relief valves;
- stopcock;
- metering valves;
- ball valves;
- and check valves.
In order to choose the proper valve, you must take into account the system’s intended use while determining the kind and size of the valve.
Performance Requirements and Range
It is believed that a valve would function well under a variety of temperature and pressure settings.
A good valve should be able to withstand both the lowest and the highest temperatures and pressures in the system and continue to function properly.
In high-pressure systems, metal valves outperform plastic valves, particularly when operating temperatures are high. The reason is that metals are more durable than plastics.
Ease of Maintenance
A few pointers on how to choose the best valve cannot be accomplished without taking care of future issues. It’s important to consider the expense of valve maintenance while selecting a valve.
The stability of the application and valve dependability are both impacted by this. It is very risky to work with a defective valve since it might result in fluid or gas leaks. You can also take steps to extend the lifecycle of your valves.
For this reason, you should also take into account valve connection type while making a decision.
Exploring the World of Thermoplastic Valves
Sometimes, it’s easy to get used to specific makes and valve materials. But, there are so many different options now on the market that can help you boost your efficacy. One of them is the thermoplastic valve.
We hope that our guide has shed some light on how to select the right valve for the job. Next, you should check out our valves section to see what we have in store.