Stainless Steel Ball Valves
Stainless steel ball valves are valves whose body is made of stainless steel. Their stainless steel construction is beneficial due to its resistance to corrosion. Stainless steel ball valves are designed for use in demanding applications such as in chemical plants, refineries and offshore drilling, where corrosion resistance is imperative.
A stainless steel ball valve is essentially a handle connected to a ball which is placed inside a valve. The ball has an aperture through which liquids can flow when the ball is in proper alignment with the valve. The ball has a hole or port through the middle of it so when the port is in line with both ends of the valve the flow of liquid will be allowed. When the ball valve is closed, the hole is then perpendicular to the ends of the valve and the flow of liquid is blocked. The handle position on the valve provides control of the valve's position.
Advances in ball valve design and materials have significantly increased their popularity. Stainless steel ball valves can be used for isolation of systems, regulation of some types of low flow and backflow prevention, but only with a swing check component. They can handle high pressure and a large volume of fluids, gases and suspended solids.