What is the difference between copper ball valves and stainless steel ball valves?
There are five main differences between copper
ball valves and
stainless steel ball valves.
1. Different materials
They use completely different materials. The copper ball valves are mainly composed of copper. Stainless steel ball valves are made of stainless steel.
2. Different corrosion resistance
Copper ball valves have better corrosion resistance than stainless steel ball valves, with smooth and labor-saving switching operation, and durability without leakage. Stainless steel does not produce corrosion, pitting, rust or wear, and it is resistant to high temperatures. Stainless steel is generally more expensive.
3. Temperature difference
Under the same pressure environment, if the medium temperature does not exceed 80 degrees, stainless steel ball valves are sufficient. If the temperature exceeds 80 degrees, copper ball valves are necessary.
4. Price difference
Copper ball valves are more expensive in terms of material cost, while stainless steel ball valves are cheaper in terms of material cost than copper ball valves.
5. Applicable substances vary
Stainless steel ball valves can be used to control the flow of various types of fluids such as air, water, steam, various corrosive media, mud, oil products, liquid gold, and radioactive media. Copper ball valves are suitable for general working media such as water, solvents, acids, and natural gas. They are also suitable for harsh working conditions such as oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, methane, and ethylene.
Stainless steel ball valves
Stainless steel ball valves can be tightly closed with only a 90 degree rotation and a small turning torque. The completely equal valve body cavity provides a small resistance and straight flow path for the medium. The main characteristic of ball valves is their compact structure, easy operation and maintenance. Stainless steel ball valves can be used to control the flow of various types of fluids such as air, water, steam, various corrosive media, mud, oil, liquid metal, and radioactive media. The valve body of a ball valve can be integral or modular. This type of valve should generally be installed horizontally in pipelines.
Copper ball valves
Copper ball valves have a compact structure, reliable sealing, simple structure, and convenient maintenance. The sealing surface and spherical surface are often in a closed state. They are not easily eroded by the media. They are easy to operate and maintain and are suitable for general working media such as water, solvents, acids, and natural gas. They are also suitable for harsh working conditions such as oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, methane, and ethylene, and are widely used in various industries. The valve body of a ball valve can be integral or modular.
Classifications of stainless steel ball valves
1. Stainless steel pneumatic ball valves, stainless steel electric ball valves, stainless steel manual ball valves
The material of stainless steel ball valves is divided into 304, 316, 321 stainless steel ball valves.
2. Stainless steel ball valves rely on rotating the valve core to make the valve unobstructed or blocked. Ball valves are lightweight, small in size, and can be made into large diameters. They are reliable in sealing. They have a simple structure, and they are easy to maintain. The sealing surface and spherical surface are often in a closed state. They are not easily eroded by the media. They are widely used in various industries. A type of valve in which only its closing member is a sphere, which rotates around the centerline of the valve body to achieve opening and closing.
Classifications of copper ball valves
1. Classified by the structural type of copper ball valves: floating copper ball valves and fixed copper ball valves
2. Main products include flange floating ball valves, fixed ball two-piece ball valves, fixed ball soft seal ball valves, fluorine lined ball valves, fixed stainless steel high-temperature ball valves, etc.
Classified by the flow type of copper ball valves: straight through copper ball valves, three-way copper ball valves, four-way copper ball valves, and five-way copper ball valves. Main products include straight through one piece ball valve, three-way flange ball valve, etc.
3. Classified by the assembly form of copper ball valves: integrated copper ball valves, two-part copper ball valves, three body copper ball valves, and top mounted copper ball valves. Main products include two body fluorine lined ball valves, three body stainless steel ball valves, top mounted ball valves, etc.
4. Classified by the diameter of the flow passage of copper ball valves: full bore type, reduced bore type. Main products include full bore flange ball valves, reduced bore ball valves, etc.
Advantages of copper ball valves and stainless steel ball valves
1. The fluid resistance is small, and its resistance coefficient is equal to that of a pipe segment of the same length.
2. Simple structure, small size, and light weight
3. Tight and reliable. The sealing surface material of the ball valve is widely used in plastic, with good sealing performance. It has also been widely used in vacuum systems.
4. Easy to operate, quick to open and close, with only a 90-degree rotation from full open to full close, facilitating remote control.
5. Easy to maintain. The ball valve has a simple structure, and the sealing ring is generally movable, making disassembly and replacement more convenient.When fully open or fully closed, the sealing surfaces of the ball and valve seat are isolated from the medium. When the medium passes through, it will not cause erosion of the valve sealing surface.
6. It has a wide range of applications, with diameters ranging from a few millimeters to several meters. It can be applied from high vacuum to high pressure.
Usage of copper ball valves and stainless steel ball valves
1. Before operation, it is necessary to confirm that the pipelines and valves have been flushed.
2. The operation of the valve drives the valve stem to rotate according to the input signal size of the actuator: when it rotates forward by 1/4 turn (900), the valve closes. When rotating in reverse by 1/4 turn (900), the valve opens.
3. When the direction indicator arrow of the actuator is parallel to the pipeline, the valve is in the open state. When the arrow is perpendicular to the pipeline, the valve is in the closed state.
Installation and maintenance of copper ball valves and stainless steel ball valves
The installation of ball valves
1. It must be confirmed that the pipelines and valves have been cleaned before operation.
2. The actuator operation of the valve drives the valve stem to rotate according to the size of the input signal: when it rotates forward by 1/4 turn (900), the valve closes. When rotating in reverse by 1/4 turn (900), the valve opens.
3. When the direction indicator arrow of the actuator is parallel to the pipeline, the valve opens. When the arrow is perpendicular to the pipeline, the valve closes.
The maintenance of ball valves
The longer service life and free time of maintenance will depend on several factors: maintaining a harmonious temperature/pressure ratio under normal working conditions, and reasonable corrosion data.
Attention: When the ball valve is in the closed state, the fluid pressure inside the valve body still exists.
Before maintenance, remove the pipeline pressure and place the valve in the open position.
Before maintenance, disconnect the power or air source.
Before maintenance, detach the actuator from the bracket.
Stainless steel ball valves
Stainless steel ball valves can be tightly closed with only a 90-degree rotation and a small turning torque.
The completely equal valve body cavity provides a small resistance and straight flow path for the medium. The main characteristic of ball valves is their compact structure. It's easy to operate and maintain.
Stainless steel ball valves can be used to control the flow of various types of fluids such as air, water, steam, various corrosive media, mud, oil, liquid metal, and radioactive media. The valve body of a ball valve can be integral or modular. This type of valve should generally be installed horizontally in pipelines.
