A ball valve is used in many industries and fields to cut off the flow of a gas or liquid. It is designed as a valve that is either on or off. There is no in-between function.
There are many types of ball valve to choose from, depending on the application. Each type of valve has its specific purposes and drawbacks.
Brass ball valves
Brass is made from a copper alloy, usually mixed with zinc and other metals. This makes for a soft metal that is resistant to corrosion. Brass also resists cracking better than other metals and plastics.
Metal Brass ball valves can also withstand higher temperatures than plastic. They also tend to perform better than stainless steel in situations where welding to the valve is required.
Some brass valves contain small amounts of lead, but lead-free brass valves are available for potable water and other uses where lead contamination is unacceptable.
PVC ball valves
PVC valves are an inexpensive option but can be more susceptible to corrosion and breakage than other types of valves.
Stainless steel ball valves
Steel ball valves are made from a durable and resilient iron alloy mixed with nickel and cadmium. Stainless steel ball valves can be more expensive than other types of valves but are an excellent option for high-temperature and high-pressure situations.
Bronze ball valves
Bronze ball valves perform similarly to brass but tend to have lower levels of lead present in the metal. Bronze valves generally cost more than their brass equivalent.
