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Ball valves are a critical part of industries including oil and gas, manufacturing, chemical, and water treatment. They even have residential uses.<\/p>\n
With so many different applications, it’s not a surprise to find many different types of ball valves. These include trunnion ball valves, welded ball valves, a metal seated ball valve, and more.<\/p>\n
Find out more about the different types of ball valves. You’ll have the information you need to choose the best ball valve for your application.<\/p>\n
Several types of ball valves are available, but they all have some features in common. A ball valve is a quarter-turn shut-off valve. It controls the flow of a liquid or gas.<\/p>\n
Ball valves are well-suited for applications with high pressure, high temperatures, and high volume. They open and close quickly. They’re less prone to corrosion and damage than other types of valves.<\/p>\n
The main parts of a ball valve are the body, the ball, the seats, and the stem.<\/p>\n
The valve body is the primary part of the valve. It contains all of the components to turn the valve on and off.<\/p>\n
The ball is a rotary ball with a hole (bore) in the center. Turning the ball 90\u00ba will either let the liquid or gas flow through or stop it from flowing.<\/p>\n
The seats are discs between the body and the ball. They support the ball and make a seal between it and the body.<\/p>\n
The stem connects the ball to an external control mechanism like a handle or lever. Turning the stem turns the rotary ball to open and close the valve.<\/p>\n
The different types of ball valves can be classified based on different features. These classifications are based on factors like:<\/p>\n
The versatility of ball valves is one of their main advantages.<\/p>\n
A ball valve can have two, three, or four ports. Most ball valves are 2-way with an input and an output.<\/p>\n
A 3-way valve is either L-shaped or T-shaped. 3-way valves change the flow direction. They let you distribute or mix flows.<\/p>\n
4-way valves can be L, T, or X shaped. An X (LL) port has the four ports evenly spaced around the valve chamber. It has two flow positions and a central position with all the ports closed.<\/p>\n
The valve housing is either a one-piece, two-piece, or three-piece assembly. Threaded connections or bolts usually hold together assemblies with multiple parts.<\/p>\n
A one-piece has the body and end connections made from a single piece of material. You can’t open it for cleaning or maintenance. One-piece assemblies are the most economical option.<\/p>\n
You can take the two parts of a two-piece assembly apart for inspection and maintenance. You have to remove it from the pipeline to separate the parts, though.<\/p>\n
Three-piece assemblies are the most expensive. You can work on the valve without removing it from the pipeline.<\/p>\n
Fully welded ball valves have a body made from forged parts welded together. This design doesn’t have joints, which leaves fewer possible leak paths.<\/p>\n
Fully welded ball valves are more compact. They’re stronger but also lighter.<\/p>\n
Many welded ball valves use butt welds<\/a>. This type of weld gives complete fusion and high strength.<\/p>\n You can find ball valves made from several different types of materials. The material for the valve body, ball, and seats are important to consider when choosing a ball valve.<\/p>\n Common materials for valve bodies include:<\/p>\n The choice of material depends on the conditions the valve will be operating in. Common materials for the flow control ball include stainless steel, brass, chrome-plated steel or brass, and PVC.<\/p>\n The valve seats can either be thermoplastic or metal.<\/p>\n Soft seated ball valves use a flexible thermoplastic seat material like PTFE. They provide a very tight seal. They aren’t suitable for abrasive or dirty fluids, though.<\/p>\nMaterials<\/h2>\n
Valve Body and Ball<\/h3>\n
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Soft Seated and Metal Seated Ball Valve<\/h3>\n