Brass is even more pliable than bronze, and different mixes of copper and zinc produce a vast spectrum of brasses with different characteristics. Brass can be cast, hammered, heat extruded, and cold drawn into shape, making it ideal for production. It's easy to machine, and its flat surface keeps finishing costs down. Brass is extremely corrosion-resistant, yet high chlorine levels can degrade zinc content. On the other hand, Brass is ideal for a range of media, particularly natural gas. Brass is a perfect choice over bronze for water supply since it normally contains far smaller amounts of lead than bronze.

Of course, these contrasts and analogies are unsophisticated by today's standards. Modern metallurgy is far beyond what even the Romans could have imagined. Today's foundries produce improved bronze alloys used in various applications, albeit their use in drinking water is being phased out. Similarly, contemporary brass alloys which withstand dezincification—a difficulty connected with typical extruded Brass (because of the zinc content)—are created utilizing high-tech fabrication procedures that involve chemicals and heat. These metallurgical innovations assist in eliminating this need for lead in the mix while also increasing the longevity of pipelines and valves, ensuring the usage of Brass for many years to come.

However, even though Brass has some benefits over bronze, don't dismiss it just yet. Lead-free bronze valves (bronze valves that meet or exceed the Clean Water Act's lead limits) are widely available. They are often the first option for water pipes with diameters under 3" where cost savings are prioritized. It's no coincidence that many companies that use piping systems prefer bronze and Brass as valve materials because both alloys have good solderability qualities.

How Do Ball Valves Work?

A ball valve is a shut-off valve that uses a rotatable ball with a bore to control the flow of a liquid or gas. The material can flow through or be restricted by turning the ball a quarter revolution (90 degrees) around its axis. They have high durability and ensure solid sealing throughout the valve's life, even when it is not in use for a lot longer. Consequently, they are more commonly used as a shut-off Hongda valve than, say, a gate valve.

In addition, they are more resilient to polluted media than other valve types. Ball valves can also be utilized as a check valve in specific variants. Because the flow rate control precision is less precise than other check valve types, this utilization is less popular. On the other hand, the valve has some advantages in this situation. It, for example, ensures a good seal even when the medium is unclean.

Benefits of Ball Valves

  • They offer leak-proof service, open and close swiftly, and are easy to use.
  • They are quite small in comparison to gate valves.
  • They are less heavy than gate valves.
  • The Gate or Globe valve does not have multi-designed flexibility. Therefore it reduces the number of valves required.
  • These valves are available in various sizes and forms, giving you more options.
  • The high-quality valves are safe to use in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, and they require less force to operate than other valves.

The following are the main drawbacks of these valves:
  • The valve handle has been rotated and can also be used for throttling.
  • These valves having drive mechanisms must be mounted upright.

Specifications for several types of ball valves

You should choose the proper ball valve type for your application based on the application. Different parameters should be considered, including pressure, size, temperature, the number of ports, housing materials, terminal connectors, and combinations.

Ball Valve with Full Port

The cost of a full port and full-bore ball valve is higher than that of other varieties. Because the hole in the full port ball valve is identical to the pipeline, the bigger ball reduces friction loss. The flow is unlimited in full port ball valve size, despite the larger valve.

Full bore ball valves typically handle throttling applications in diverse systems with high flow efficiencies and low-pressure drops.

Ball Valve with a Standard Port

The standard port ball valve has a narrower port and ball than the full port ball valve. It is less expensive, however, due to the pipe size, it has a little reduced flow. They have bigger pressure drops than other ball valve varieties but are less expensive. Like full port valves, standard port valves are ideal for systems with a high flow coefficient.

Ball Valve with V-Port

The contour of the seat or the form of the ball is represented by the V in the v-port ball valve. You can better manage the opening and closing with a V ball valve. This sort of flow has a linear flow characteristic.

Where to find the best materials?

Yuhuan Hongda Plumbing Equipment CO., Ltd., founded in 1996, is situated in Chumen Town, Yuhuan City, Zhejiang Province, on China's eastern coast. The company produces brass valves, brass balls, brass pipe fittings, and brass bibcock. The company now occupies a 6,700-square-meter space and employs 150 people, comprising 30 technical management scholars of various types. The company's registered capital is 4 million yuan, and its resulting yearly value is 70 billion yuan.