Why is Cast Iron Ball Check Valve Better?

The ball valve is one of the most classic valves available. Ball valves consist of a sphere with a hole drilled in the center of the ball. These valves operate on a 90-degree or quarter-turn ratio. By moving the ball around the axis, the flow of the liquids or gas in the system is stopped or started. Ball valves are almost always shut-off valves. In limited cases, however, ball valves can be used to control the intensity of the flow.

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Four Types of Ball Valves

While they operate on a standard principle, ball valves come in four standard forms.

Standard port ball valves are, as named, normally sized ball valves. They’re a size smaller than the pipe which results in a slight restriction in the flow of the fluid. This is the standard style that you’ll find in most systems.

By contrast, full port ball valves, which have oversized balls which fill the entire port with a hole equal in size to the pipeline. This allows for lowered friction loss and unrestricted flow but requires a larger and more expensive valve with a greater weight.

V port ball valves have either a v-shaped seat or a v-shaped ball. This allows for a stable flow with greater control in the system. The valves require a much sturdier design to handle the intensity of the flow.

Unlike the other designs which have free floating balls, trunnion ball valves have an anchor either at the top or at the bottom. These are designed for use in high pressure systems.

In addition to the four major types, there are four major materials used in ball valves: stainless steel, carbon steel, cast iron, and brass ball valves. Each has its own advantages and uses. What follows is a guide to the various materials.

Brass Ball Valves

One of the most common types of ball valves is the brass ball valve, which is a standard material used throughout a variety of equipment. A key benefit of opting for brass valves is that they’re softer, and easier to work with in contrast to a harder material like stainless steel. Brass valves hold up strongly in the transport of potable water as long as it lacks corrosive properties and gas. They also clean simply. Unfortunately, brass ball valves have the disadvantage of eroding much easier. Brass is also more expensive than the cheapest options on the market though not as expensive as others.

Carbon Steel Ball Valves

Though they lack the trademark chrome sheen of stainless steel ball valves, carbon steel ball valves still serve as a solid option. Carbon steel is considered of lesser quality, but it’s only slightly lower in quality than stainless steel. The valves offer lesser resistance to chemicals and a lower melting point. However, they have the distinct advantage of greater malleability, allowing for an easier installation and a wider range of uses. The carbon steel also offers a much stronger heat allocation than stainless steel. For these reasons, carbon steel is a highly efficient, robust option.

Cast Iron Ball Valves

Lower in cost but high in quality, cast iron ball valves offer a fantastic option for a number of reasons. Cast iron is one of the strongest metals in the face of intense heat, withstanding temperatures beyond 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Iron is intensely sturdy and holds up to the strongest of vibrations. It also carries a relatively low cost. One drawback, however, is that cast iron is rigid and unmalleable. Even the slightest break will fracture the valve. Still, the heat resistance and the low cost make it a worthy choice.

Stainless Steel Ball Valves

Arguably the most popular form of ball valve on the market, stainless steel ball valves are one of the strongest options available. Stainless steel carries a number of strong advantages. Stainless steel—known for its vibrant chrome sheen—does not rust even when exposed to high moisture or even directly placed in water. Stainless steel ball valves resist oxidation and offer strong corrosion resistance. For this reason, stainless steel is a popular choice for saltwater regions. Stainless steel is heat resistant, but still won’t hold up to extreme heat. Stainless steel also has the limitation of a higher cost. However, it’s easy to see why stainless steel ball valves are considered the highest quality on the market.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Cast Iron Ball Check Valve. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

What We Offer

At Valtorc, we’re pleased to offer one of the strongest assortments of ball valves on the market/. In addition to these four quality materials, we offer PVC ball valves, a sturdy and inexpensive choice. We also have special purpose ball valves such as cryogenic and floating high pressure ball valves. We also sell sanitary stainless steel ball valves designed for food and beverage usage.

We offer our valves in a variety of configurations too. Generally, we offer 2-way and 3-way or multiport options but for stainless steel ball valves the options go up to 4-way ports. Our sizes on our ball valves include 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, 2″, 3″, 4″, 6″, and 10″, going up to 12″ and beyond for custom work. Our products have a variety of connection ends including butt weld, socket weld, and threaded. Our valves come both manually operated and as actuated packages.

All our ball valves are compliant with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Our valves all ship from our factory located in the United States.

Customers from all kinds of industries need valves of all varieties for their high-demand processes. Valves are available in a huge number of materials for any application imaginable. A few of these materials are PVC, carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, and ductile iron. In this post we will focus on two of those materials: ductile iron and cast iron. The argument of "ductile vs. cast iron valves" has been going on for decades, as not everyone knows the differences.

Luckily, comparing valves made of ductile iron and cast iron is simple, as these materials have just a few major differences. We will outline properties of both materials and then go through the pros and cons of each. By the end of this blog post, you will be an iron expert!

Cast Iron Valves Specifications

Cast iron (also known as gray iron) is a type of metal that has been in use for hundreds of years. It is an alloy made from 96%-98% iron, 2%-4% carbon, and small amounts of silicone. It has impressive temperature tolerance, with some cast iron capable of handling temperatures over F (C). When it comes to pressure, cast iron's strength depends on its pressure class. The two most common are class 125 and class 250. At less extreme temperatures, class 125 cast iron flange is rated for pressures between 150 and 200 psi. Class 250 cast iron is a bit tougher, with pressure ratings from 300 to 500 psi. These pressures can vary by end type.

Cast iron is strong and will usually go undamaged even after going through intense vibrations. The main drawback of cast iron valves is that they are not very ductile at all. Virtually any bending will cause cast iron to crack and become useless. One great quality of cast iron is that it is not very expensive. As far as metals go, cast iron is usually the most economical option, which makes it a solid alternative for people on a budget.

Ductile Valves Specifications

The second material we're looking at is ductile iron. Ductile iron is a more modern iron alloy that is made with nodule-shaped graphite. This gives the material excellent ductility, so it will not necessarily break when bent. The temperature limit is a bit lower than cast iron, but it is still quite high at F (730C). When it comes to pressure, ductile iron valves also use pressure classes: 150 and 300. At standard outdoor temperatures, class 150 ductile iron keeps a seal up to 250 psi. Class 300 can stand up to pressures as high as 640 psi.

Ductile iron has excellent corrosion resistance, tensile strength, and yield strength. Unlike cast iron, ductile iron does not break when it is bent, so it is more suited for high demand applications. Ductile iron is a strong and reliable material for pipes, fittings, and valves. One drawback is price. Ductile iron is typically more expensive than cast iron due to its more complicated chemical makeup. If your application requires a tougher material, however, you may need to spend a little more.

Ductile vs. Cast Iron Valves

Now that we've looked at both options individually, we will compare and contrast ductile and cast iron valves. Hopefully, this will help you decide which is best for you! We will compare these materials on durability, ease of installation, and price, so you can learn the most important details. For some more technical differences, check out this helpful article.

Durability

• Cast Iron: Cast iron is a strong material that can handle higher pressures than just about any plastic. When rated pressure of a cast iron valve or pipe is exceeded however, it can bend and crack. Cast iron has virtually zero ductility, meaning it is rigid and will crack if bent. Cast iron will also rust over time, so regular maintenance must be done to keep your valve clear of corrosion.
• Ductile Iron: Ductile iron also has impressive structural integrity. It can handle high pressures and temperatures without flinching. Thanks to its ductile nature,
  this material is also less likely to crack when bent. Ductile iron will also rust over time, but not as easily as cast iron.

Ease of Installation

• Cast Iron: This material gives the user many options when it comes to installation. Cast iron valves are typically bolted using flanges. Welding is difficult, but not impossible. Our cast iron valves are available with flanged ends, as this is a great method for high or low pressure applications.
• Ductile Iron: Ductile iron, because of its structural similarities to cast iron, gives the user many of the same installation options. Welding is not recommended,
  but bolting with the use of flanges is still the best option for most applications.

Price

• Cast Iron: Cast iron valves, due to their simpler manufacturing process, will save you a significant amount money compared to ductile iron valves. If you do not need the added benefits that ductile iron provides, cast iron is the smart move.
• Ductile Iron: Ductile iron is the more expensive option, but for good reason. It has properties that give it clear advantages over cast iron in many situations.

There you have it! Now you know that this is not an "ductile vs. cast iron valves" kind of issue. One is not always better than the other. It all depends on what you are using it for!

For more Knife Gate Valveinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.