Using The Right Valve For The Job You Are Doing
When you are working on a job that requires you to install some form of liquid handling, you will more than likely need to add some valves somewhere in the system. Ball valves are one of the best options because of the way they function and they are made from many different materials.
Ball Valve Uses
One of the most common valves used in liquid handling is a ball valve. The valve operates by using a ball inside a tube with a hole in the center of the ball. When the valve is open, Liquid can flow straight through the hole in the ball with no obstruction and no turbulence.
If the flow needs to stop, the valve is closed with a simple quarter turn that rotates the ball closing off the opening and stopping the flow of liquid through the valve. Ball valves have been used effectively for many years and the design has not changed much. The valve design works equally well with water and light liquids as well as thick and heavy materials.
Stainless Steel Valves
Ball valves are made from a plethora of materials including brass, cast iron, steel, and stainless steel. Stainless steel is by far one of the best materials for these valves because it has a high resistance to corrosion, heat, and wear. Stainless steel valves are often used in the food industry but are also common where water and chemicals are running through pipes and a control valve needs to be in place.
The cost of stainless steel ball valves are a little higher than a cast iron or brass valve but the durability is so much higher than the valves last far longer than the valves made from softer materials.
Buying Stainless Valves
Not all stainless steel is the same so if you need a specific grade of stainless steel, you may need to special order the valves from an industrial supply or a specialty plumbing supplier. These valves come in many different sizes and configurations so you may need to call and talk to someone that can help you find the right part.
A customer service representative is going to be much more familiar with the parts so ask them to help you locate the valve you need and any related materials. If you need tubing or other fittings, ordering it all at the same time is a good way to ensure you are getting the right sizes that are going to work together and are the same grade and quality of stainless steel.