Any quick internet search for a valve will reveal many different results: manual or automatic, brass or stainless steel, flanged or NPT, one piece, two or three pieces, and so on. With so many different types of valves to choose from, how can you be sure you’re buying the right type? While your application will help guide you in proper valve selection, it is important to have some basic understanding of the different types of valves offered.

The one-piece ball valve has a solid cast body that reduces the risk of leakage. They are cheap and usually not repaired.

Two-piece ball valves are some of the most commonly used ball valves. As the name suggests, a two-piece ball valve consists of two pieces, a piece with a piece connected at one end and the valve body. The second piece fits over the first piece, holds the trim in place and includes the second end connection. Once installed, these valves generally cannot be repaired unless they are taken out of service.

Again, as the name suggests, a three-piece ball valve consists of three parts: two end caps and a body. End caps are typically threaded or welded to the pipe, and the body portion can be easily removed for cleaning or repair without removing the end cap. This can be a very valuable option as it prevents the production line from being shut down when maintenance is required.

By comparing the characteristics of each valve with your application requirements, you will be able to make an informed decision that best suits your needs. Visit our valve website to learn about our ball valve product line or to start configuring today.

UV exposure
White PVC pipe, the kind used for plumbing, breaks down when exposed to UV light, just like from the sun. This makes the material unsuitable for outdoor applications where it will not be covered, such as flagpoles and roofing applications. Over time, UV exposure reduces the flexibility of the material through polymer degradation, which can lead to splitting, cracking, and splitting.

low temperature
As the temperature drops, PVC becomes more and more brittle. When exposed to freezing temperatures for extended periods of time, it becomes brittle and cracks easily. PVC is not suitable for applications subject to consistent freezing temperatures, and water should never freeze inside PVC pipes as it can cause cracking and bursting.

age
All polymers or plastics degrade to some degree over time. It’s a product of their chemical composition. Over time, PVC absorbs materials called plasticizers. Plasticizers are added to PVC during manufacture to increase its flexibility. When they migrate out of PVC pipes, the pipes are not only less flexible due to the lack of them, but also left with defects due to the lack of plasticizer molecules, which can create cracks or fissures in the pipes.

chemical exposure
PVC pipes can become brittle from chemical exposure. As a polymer, chemicals can have a profound negative effect on the makeup of PVC, loosening bonds between molecules in the plastic and accelerating the migration of plasticizers out of pipes. PVC drain pipes can become brittle if exposed to large amounts of chemicals, such as those found in liquid drain plug removers.