There are many different types of valves on the market today, and it is difficult to decide which valve is most suitable for your application. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of ball valves and gate valves.
Choosing the best valve can make or break your system. Both ball valves and gate valves are used to limit and control flow. However, which gives better longevity and leak prevention though? Read on to find out.
API6D Cast Steel Ball Valve 150#
The ball valve and the gate valve basically have the same function. However, their structural characteristics are obviously different. Ball valves have a stem and ball, which turn horizontally, and are commonly referred to as 'rotational' valves. They are most suitable for applications that require on/off control without pressure drop.
Gate valves open by lifting the circular or rectangular gate (or wedge gate) out of the path of the fluid. The sealing surface between the gate and the valve seat is flat, so when a straight flow of fluid and minimum restriction is required, a gate valve is usually used.
The ball valve is designed with a ball inside the valve. A ball valve is a form of quarter-turn valve that uses a hollow, perforated, and rotating ball (called a 'floating ball') to control the flow through it. When the ball hole is consistent with the fluid, the valve opens; when the ball hole is rotated at a 90-degree angle by the valve handle, the valve closes. When the handle is opened, the handle lies flat in alignment with the flow, and perpendicular to the fluid when closed, which is convenient for visually confirming the state of the valve.
API Stainless Steel Ball Valve Casting
The ball valve is durable, has good performance after multiple cycles, and is reliable, and can be safely closed even after a long period of disuse. These characteristics make it an excellent choice for shut-off applications and are usually the first choice for gate and globe valves. In other words, they do lack fine control in throttling applications.
Although ball valves tend to cost slightly more than gate valves of the same quality, the smallest savings are not worth the potential problems that are likely to follow. In addition, ball valves have a tighter seal and are therefore much less prone to leakage than gate valves because of their 100 percent shut-off characteristics. Ball valves have a longer life, a lower rate of failure, and are easier to use than gate valves. Please feel free to contact us if you need or want to know about our products.