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In industrial projects, sealing failure is one of the most frequent causes of downtime and unexpected costs.A mismatched valve can cause leakage, delay commissioning, and inflate long-term maintenance budgets. Among common isolation devices, ball valves are widely used for reliable on/off control.
This guide explains what a ball valve is, how it works, where it is best applied, and how procurement and engineering teams should specify one for industrial use.
A ball valve is a quarter-turn isolation valve that uses a hollow, precision-drilled
sphere (the ball) to start or stop flow. Rotating the ball 90° aligns the bore with the pipe for full flow,
or turns the solid side to block the line for tight shut-off. Core components include the body, ball, seats,
stem and actuator/handle.
Buyer tip: Request CE, ISO 9001 and API compliance on the datasheet to simplify technical audits.
The operating principle is straightforward: when the actuator or handle rotates the stem, the ball rotates accordingly. In the open position the ball’s bore lines up with the pipe ID, providing minimal pressure drop (full-port designs). In the closed position the solid side of the ball blocks the flow and the seats provide the sealing surface.
Seat material selection determines compatibility and longevity: PTFE/RPTFE offers low torque and chemical resistance; PEEK or metal seats handle high temperature, abrasive or flashing services.
Stem sealing uses O-rings or gland packing (graphite/PTFE) to prevent fugitive emissions. ISO 17292, API 608 and ASME B16.34 provide guidance on materials, testing and pressure–temperature ratings referenced by EPCs and OEMs.
Engineer’s tip: For large diameters or high system pressures, specify trunnion-mounted designs to control torque and extend seat life.
Ball valves are widely used when reliable shut-off, compact footprint and low maintenance are required:
Example: A steel mill replaced legacy gate valves on a cooling loop with trunnion-mounted ball valves and reported ~25% fewer maintenance hours in the first year due to improved sealing and quicker actuation.
Procurement reminder: Avoid brass in chloride-rich or acidic services—select 316 stainless or cast steel with suitable coatings instead.
Buyer tip: For duties requiring frequent operation and zero-leak isolation, prioritize ball valves; for precise control duties, evaluate globe valves and include lifecycle cost analysis.
Procurement tip: Always obtain the manufacturer’s pressure–temperature chart and seat leakage class on the datasheet to avoid rating mismatches during commissioning.
DKV Valve brings 40+ years of manufacturing experience and supplies to 60+ countries.
Our production follows ISO 9001 quality systems, and products are offered with CE conformity and API testing where required. Typical warranty terms are 12–18 months from shipment
(or 12 months in service), with full material traceability and serialized test records provided on request.
Engineer’s checklist: Include certificate copies (CE DoC, ISO cert, MTRs, and test reports) in your RFQ to accelerate supplier qualification.
DKV – China Which Has About 40 Years Experience Of Valves, Pipes And Fittings
Poly Center T41601, Le Cong Town, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China
We will contact you within 1 working day, please pay attention to the email with the suffix “@dkvchina.com”.
We will contact you within 1 working day, please pay attention to the email with the suffix “dkvchina.com”.