Metal Seated Ball Valves and Soft Seated Ball Valves
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We usually classify the seats of ball valves into metal seated type and soft seated type. This article is to specify the main differences between metal seated ball valves and soft seated ball valves.
The materials of soft seats often indicate those non-metallic materials like PTFE, RPTFE, nylon, PEEK, and Devlon. The soft seated ball valves are suitable for clean fluids with normal temperature and pressure. The dirty and abrasive fluid will damage the soft seat and lead to leakage. However, soft seated ball valves have a lot of advantages. They require a lower torque value. Soft seated ball valves are the best choice for applications where chemical compatibility and tight seal are highly required. Of course, they are also at a lower cost.
Apparently, the metal seat is made of metallic materials like SS316, SS304, and MONEL, etc. Comparing to soft seated type, metal seated ball valves are used in wider applications. They can withstand higher temperature and pressure, and are suitable for severe conditions like dirty fluid with high erosion or corrosion.
The materials of soft seats often indicate those non-metallic materials like PTFE, RPTFE, nylon, PEEK, and Devlon. The soft seated ball valves are suitable for clean fluids with normal temperature and pressure. The dirty and abrasive fluid will damage the soft seat and lead to leakage. However, soft seated ball valves have a lot of advantages. They require a lower torque value. Soft seated ball valves are the best choice for applications where chemical compatibility and tight seal are highly required. Of course, they are also at a lower cost.
Apparently, the metal seat is made of metallic materials like SS316, SS304, and MONEL, etc. Comparing to soft seated type, metal seated ball valves are used in wider applications. They can withstand higher temperature and pressure, and are suitable for severe conditions like dirty fluid with high erosion or corrosion.
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