Figure 1: Bolted bonnet gate valve
Click here to get more.
Selecting the right gate valve material is crucial in the gate valve selection process. Various materials are used for the gate valve's body and seal. The material selection depends primarily on the media type and design temperature. This article discusses the common materials used in gate valves and how to find the right one for each application.
Gate Valves
Gate valves are used in a wide range of applications, and they come in contact with diverse media. It is critical to consider the material used for valve construction to prevent premature valve failure and system delays during valve operation. Consider the following criteria to select the proper materials for a gate valve:
Gate valves are available in various materials, as discussed in the next section. Various organizations are committed to developing and maintaining standards for valves and materials in specific environments. For example, gate valves are specified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Association For Corrosion Engineers (NACE) for their suitability to work with heavy corrosive media.
The various materials used to construct gate valve body are discussed below.
Figure 2: PVC gate valve
In a PVC gate valve, the valve's three main components, namely, the handle, housing, and gate, are made of PVC.
PVC gate valves are a good low-cost solution for most flow control needs at home. These valves are durable and corrosion-resistant, hence widely used in aquatic environments. A few common applications are:
In applications where PVC gate valves would burst, it is a viable option to use gate valves made of metals or their alloys.
Brass can withstand more heat than PVC, making them an ideal choice for residential plumbing applications. Brass is extremely corrosion resistant, and the gate valves made of brass are ideal for manufacturing industries involving natural gas or potable water.
Figure 3: Stainless steel gate valve
Stainless steel is extremely durable and corrosion-resistant, hence used in marine and industrial applications. Some common applications are:
Figure 4: Bronze gate valve
Bronze has high lead content; hence the material is not used frequently for drinking water applications. Bronze is commonly used for fluid control in low-pressure manufacturing industries and works well with steam, air, and gas. The material is also used in HVAC and marine applications.
Figure 5: Cast iron gate valve
Cast iron is used for constructing gate valves in low-pressure and low-temperature applications. The material is a popular choice for gate valves in water, wastewater, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units. Cast iron gate valves are extremely cheap, yet sturdy; hence these valves are more suitable for underground applications than steel valves.
Figure 5: Cast steel gate valves used in industrial plants
Gate valve seats are available in two forms:
Read our chemical resistance guide article for more details on the compatibility of materials with different media.
Gate Valves
The best quality valve might guard the operation against all evils, but it cannot combat one serious threat&#;
The threat of wrong choices and unsound operations.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit BSTV.
For the right service, a valve must match the application it is serving. Factors such as valve material, size, or even type of seating are considered when choosing a valve. However, there exist many other considerations that might appear small, but could derail your operations if neglected.
When choosing a valve, the valve buying price, and the overall cost of its maintenance are the only considerations that first come to the user&#;s mind for cost-saving. However, cost considerations in valves do not end only at the buying price.
Low-cost valves often need more maintenance and thus incur more costs in the long run. On the other hand, many expensive valves too have a complex maintenance procedure wherein you incur more costs.
These costs add up to huge amounts in the case of big companies that have hundreds of valves.
Measures such as data-driven maintenance could reduce valve maintenance needs, reducing the related costs. Similarly, buying oversized valves increases the buying and maintenance costs. Simply sizing the valves correctly could save these added costs.
Find out more ways to reduce the total cost of ownership of valves
In a bid to cut costs, businesses might be tempted to deploy slightly smaller valves. This is done when smaller valves can work instead of the required rightly sized valves in less critical applications. However, smaller valves are prone to noise and are vulnerable to vibrations. Vibrations can cause serious damage to pipe fittings and reduce the lifespan of valves.
Check out how vibration does serious damage to valves
Noise and vibration should thus be considered when choosing valves. Valves that are correctly sized and designed to withstand the noise and resulting vibrations should be used as per application requirements.
Industrial valves are presently undergoing rapid automation. Automated valves communicate with IT systems using various communication protocols. With new communication protocols evolving, valves must adapt to match with them. Valve positioners must be able to communicate with a broad range of communication protocols from conventional analog systems to MODBUS / Foundation Fieldbus etc.
Automatic valves must be regularly upgraded to fit modern communication protocols and IT systems for efficient performance.
Explore additional factors to consider in valve automation
As valve networks become smarter, the barriers between the physical and digital systems are disappearing. This has made physical valve networks vulnerable to cyber attacks. In , India has recently been named among the countries facing the highest reported ransomware incidents in Southeast Asia.
Typically, hackers send malware or ransomware through phishing emails and take over the network. They might then demand a ransom in exchange for returning the control of smart systems. Why would international hackers target my little local business?&#; is not an attitude that would help in such situations. Any network can be attacked from anywhere, and hence everyone should stay protected.
Alongside measures such as firewalls, it is important to educate employees to recognize and report suspicious emails, desist from downloading dubious materials, and avoid bringing suspicious pen drives or data cards from outside into the office.
Read about the kind of damage cyber-attacks could cause to process controls
Human factor engineering is the science of considering human capabilities and applying the knowledge to the design and selection of equipment, as well as processes and systems at work. The purpose of human factor engineering is to avoid errors while improving efficiency by ensuring the availability of the right tools and the right people for operations. Factors such as ergonomics and safety should be considered in designing hand-operated valves. At the same time, valve accessibility is a key factor even in automated valves.
Valves should be easily accessible to employees for maintenance or inspection. Complex piping networks sometimes mean that the employees must climb or squeeze into inaccessible places for inspection or maintenance. This increases the possibility of errors being committed. Valves should be selected, tagged, and located so that they are easy to access and repair without safety risks.
Explore how human factor engineering impacts valve operations
Not taking small considerations seriously could have a deep impact on valve operations. When choosing and operating valves, attention should be paid to such factors. Working closely with a long-time valve partner to address your valve issues regularly could help avoid such mistakes in the selection and operation of valves.
At IPC, we work closely with clients to design and deliver valves of the right specification and strength in the shortest possible lead time. The customers can track their valves through the design and testing processes to ensure procurement of quality valves compliant with relevant standards and application requirements.
To quickly procure quality valves customized to your requirements, write to us at
Figure 1: Bolted bonnet gate valve
Selecting the right gate valve material is crucial in the gate valve selection process. Various materials are used for the gate valve's body and seal. The material selection depends primarily on the media type and design temperature. This article discusses the common materials used in gate valves and how to find the right one for each application.
Gate Valves
Gate valves are used in a wide range of applications, and they come in contact with diverse media. It is critical to consider the material used for valve construction to prevent premature valve failure and system delays during valve operation. Consider the following criteria to select the proper materials for a gate valve:
Gate valves are available in various materials, as discussed in the next section. Various organizations are committed to developing and maintaining standards for valves and materials in specific environments. For example, gate valves are specified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Association For Corrosion Engineers (NACE) for their suitability to work with heavy corrosive media.
The various materials used to construct gate valve body are discussed below.
Figure 2: PVC gate valve
In a PVC gate valve, the valve's three main components, namely, the handle, housing, and gate, are made of PVC.
PVC gate valves are a good low-cost solution for most flow control needs at home. These valves are durable and corrosion-resistant, hence widely used in aquatic environments. A few common applications are:
In applications where PVC gate valves would burst, it is a viable option to use gate valves made of metals or their alloys.
Brass can withstand more heat than PVC, making them an ideal choice for residential plumbing applications. Brass is extremely corrosion resistant, and the gate valves made of brass are ideal for manufacturing industries involving natural gas or potable water.
Figure 3: Stainless steel gate valve
Stainless steel is extremely durable and corrosion-resistant, hence used in marine and industrial applications. Some common applications are:
Figure 4: Bronze gate valve
Bronze has high lead content; hence the material is not used frequently for drinking water applications. Bronze is commonly used for fluid control in low-pressure manufacturing industries and works well with steam, air, and gas. The material is also used in HVAC and marine applications.
Figure 5: Cast iron gate valve
Cast iron is used for constructing gate valves in low-pressure and low-temperature applications. The material is a popular choice for gate valves in water, wastewater, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units. Cast iron gate valves are extremely cheap, yet sturdy; hence these valves are more suitable for underground applications than steel valves.
Figure 5: Cast steel gate valves used in industrial plants
Gate valve seats are available in two forms:
Read our chemical resistance guide article for more details on the compatibility of materials with different media.
Gate Valves
The best quality valve might guard the operation against all evils, but it cannot combat one serious threat&#;
The threat of wrong choices and unsound operations.
For the right service, a valve must match the application it is serving. Factors such as valve material, size, or even type of seating are considered when choosing a valve. However, there exist many other considerations that might appear small, but could derail your operations if neglected.
When choosing a valve, the valve buying price, and the overall cost of its maintenance are the only considerations that first come to the user&#;s mind for cost-saving. However, cost considerations in valves do not end only at the buying price.
Low-cost valves often need more maintenance and thus incur more costs in the long run. On the other hand, many expensive valves too have a complex maintenance procedure wherein you incur more costs.
These costs add up to huge amounts in the case of big companies that have hundreds of valves.
Measures such as data-driven maintenance could reduce valve maintenance needs, reducing the related costs. Similarly, buying oversized valves increases the buying and maintenance costs. Simply sizing the valves correctly could save these added costs.
Find out more ways to reduce the total cost of ownership of valves
In a bid to cut costs, businesses might be tempted to deploy slightly smaller valves. This is done when smaller valves can work instead of the required rightly sized valves in less critical applications. However, smaller valves are prone to noise and are vulnerable to vibrations. Vibrations can cause serious damage to pipe fittings and reduce the lifespan of valves.
Check out how vibration does serious damage to valves
Noise and vibration should thus be considered when choosing valves. Valves that are correctly sized and designed to withstand the noise and resulting vibrations should be used as per application requirements.
Industrial valves are presently undergoing rapid automation. Automated valves communicate with IT systems using various communication protocols. With new communication protocols evolving, valves must adapt to match with them. Valve positioners must be able to communicate with a broad range of communication protocols from conventional analog systems to MODBUS / Foundation Fieldbus etc.
Automatic valves must be regularly upgraded to fit modern communication protocols and IT systems for efficient performance.
Explore additional factors to consider in valve automation
As valve networks become smarter, the barriers between the physical and digital systems are disappearing. This has made physical valve networks vulnerable to cyber attacks. In , India has recently been named among the countries facing the highest reported ransomware incidents in Southeast Asia.
Typically, hackers send malware or ransomware through phishing emails and take over the network. They might then demand a ransom in exchange for returning the control of smart systems. Why would international hackers target my little local business?&#; is not an attitude that would help in such situations. Any network can be attacked from anywhere, and hence everyone should stay protected.
Alongside measures such as firewalls, it is important to educate employees to recognize and report suspicious emails, desist from downloading dubious materials, and avoid bringing suspicious pen drives or data cards from outside into the office.
Read about the kind of damage cyber-attacks could cause to process controls
Human factor engineering is the science of considering human capabilities and applying the knowledge to the design and selection of equipment, as well as processes and systems at work. The purpose of human factor engineering is to avoid errors while improving efficiency by ensuring the availability of the right tools and the right people for operations. Factors such as ergonomics and safety should be considered in designing hand-operated valves. At the same time, valve accessibility is a key factor even in automated valves.
Valves should be easily accessible to employees for maintenance or inspection. Complex piping networks sometimes mean that the employees must climb or squeeze into inaccessible places for inspection or maintenance. This increases the possibility of errors being committed. Valves should be selected, tagged, and located so that they are easy to access and repair without safety risks.
Explore how human factor engineering impacts valve operations
Not taking small considerations seriously could have a deep impact on valve operations. When choosing and operating valves, attention should be paid to such factors. Working closely with a long-time valve partner to address your valve issues regularly could help avoid such mistakes in the selection and operation of valves.
At IPC, we work closely with clients to design and deliver valves of the right specification and strength in the shortest possible lead time. The customers can track their valves through the design and testing processes to ensure procurement of quality valves compliant with relevant standards and application requirements.
To quickly procure quality valves customized to your requirements, write to us at