Views: 0 Author: J-VALVES Publish Time: 2025-06-04 Origin: Site
In the field of industrial fluid control, ball valves, as an efficient and reliable type of valve, are widely used in various complex working conditions. Among them, SOFT SEALING FLOATING BALL VALVES and METAL SEALING FLOATING BALL VALVES are two common types. They each have their own characteristics in terms of temperature resistance and corrosion resistance and are suitable for different application scenarios. This article will help readers better understand the characteristics of these two types of BALL VALVES through a detailed performance data comparison table, so that they can make more appropriate choices in practical applications.
I. Overview of Soft Sealing Floating Ball Valves and Metal Sealing Floating Ball Valves
(A) Soft Sealing Floating Ball Valves
SOFT SEALING FLOATING BALL VALVES mainly use elastic materials such as rubber and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as sealing elements, achieving sealing through the elastic deformation of the materials themselves. Such valves have good sealing performance and can achieve zero leakage in low-temperature and low-pressure environments. They have a simple structure, a small operating torque, are suitable for quick opening and closing, and are widely used in industries with high hygiene requirements, such as the food, pharmaceutical, and water supply and drainage industries.
(B) Metal Sealing Floating Ball Valves
METAL SEALING FLOATING BALL VALVES adopt a metal-to-metal hard sealing structure, usually using materials such as stainless steel, alloy steel, or cemented carbide. The sealing performance of such valves depends on the precision machining of the metal sealing surfaces and mechanical pressure. Metal sealing floating ball valves have the characteristics of high temperature resistance, high pressure resistance, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, and are suitable for working conditions with high temperature, high pressure, media containing particles, and strongly corrosive media. They are commonly found in industries such as petrochemical, coal chemical, and metallurgy.
II. Comparison of Temperature and Corrosion Resistance Performance Data
The following is the detailed comparison data of soft sealing floating ball valves and metal sealing floating ball valves in terms of temperature and corrosion resistance performance:
| Performance Indicators | Soft Sealing Floating Ball Valves | Metal Sealing Floating Ball Valves |
Temperature Resistance Range | -20°C ~ 180°C (Some materials can reach 260°C) | -196°C ~ 650°C (Some products can reach 900°C) |
Pressure Resistance Range | PN1.6 ~ PN6.4 (Some products can reach PN160) | Class 150 ~ Class 2500 (PN16 ~ PN420) |
Corrosion Resistance | PTFE: Resistant to strong corrosive media such as strong acids, strong alkalis, and aqua regia. Nitrile rubber (NBR): Has good oil resistance but is not resistant to solvents. | Stainless steel: Resistant to general acid-base media. Hastelloy: Resistant to strong acids, strong alkalis, and oxidizing media.Titanium alloy: Resistant to corrosive environments such as seawater. |
Wear Resistance | Low, easily worn by particulate media, and sealing elements need to be replaced regularly. | High, suitable for media containing particles, with a low wear rate (< 0.01 mm/year). |
Applicable Media | Clean liquids and gases, such as water, oil products, and compressed air. | Media containing particles and strongly corrosive media, such as ore pulp, pulverized coal, nitric acid, and acetic acid. |
Sealing Performance | Good initial sealing performance, zero leakage, but prone to aging. | Hard sealing, strong wear resistance, and high long-term stability. |
Service Life | The aging cycle of sealing elements is 3 - 5 years, and they need to be replaced regularly. | Long service life and low maintenance cost. |
Maintenance Cost | Low initial cost, but sealing elements need to be replaced regularly. | High initial cost, low long-term maintenance cost. |
Typical Application Scenarios | Food and beverage, pharmaceutical, water supply and drainage, air conditioning systems. | Petrochemical, natural gas, coal chemical, metallurgy. |
III. Summary of Performance Comparison
It can be seen from the above comparison table that soft sealing floating ball valves and metal sealing floating ball valves each have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for different working conditions:
• Soft Sealing Floating Ball Valves: They have good sealing performance and a relatively low initial cost, and are suitable for working conditions with low temperature, low pressure, and clean media, such as the food and beverage industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and ordinary water supply and drainage systems. Their elastic sealing materials can absorb pipeline vibrations, reduce the risk of mechanical damage, and have a small operating torque, making them suitable for quick opening and closing.
• Metal Sealing Floating Ball Valves: They perform excellently in terms of high temperature resistance, high pressure resistance, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, and are suitable for working conditions with high temperature, high pressure, media containing particles, and strongly corrosive media, such as the petrochemical, coal chemical, and metallurgy industries. Their metal sealing structure can ensure long-term stable operation and reduce the frequency and cost of maintenance.
IV. Selection Recommendations
When selecting ball valves, the following factors should be comprehensively considered according to specific working condition requirements:
• Media Characteristics: If the medium contains solid particles or is strongly corrosive, it is recommended to choose metal sealing floating ball valves; if the medium is clean liquid or gas and has strict leakage requirements, soft sealing floating ball valves can be preferentially selected.
• Temperature and Pressure: For high-temperature and high-pressure working conditions, metal sealing floating ball valves are more suitable; while for low-temperature and low-pressure working conditions, soft sealing floating ball valves are a more economical choice.
• Service Life and Maintenance Cost: If the working conditions require the valve to operate stably for a long time and the maintenance cost is high, it is recommended to choose metal sealing floating ball valves; if the budget is limited and the working conditions are relatively mild, soft sealing floating ball valves may be a more appropriate choice.
• Installation and Operating Environment: Soft sealing floating ball valves have a simple structure and are easy to install, and are suitable for occasions with low requirements for installation conditions; metal sealing floating ball valves require more precise installation and debugging, and are suitable for occasions with high requirements for sealing performance and reliability.
