Manual and mechanical valves; Types, Technical Data and Selection Guide

Type and construction

Available types

Each type has its own technical page

How the main types differ in selection

Open a type for full details

TypePurposeBest suited toWatchpoint

Ball valveFast isolation with a low-restriction flow pathServices requiring tight isolation and quarter-turn operationSeat compatibility, trapped cavity, torque and body-cavity pressure rise

Butterfly valveIsolation or control with a compact quarter-turn designMedium and large sizes, water, utilities and many process servicesSeat design, offset, disc-to-pipe clearance and permitted velocity

Gate valveFull-line isolation with low pressure loss when openLines where the valve normally operates fully open or fully closedNot intended for continuous throttling; check orientation, gate design and face-to-face

Globe valveFlow regulation or isolation with controlled disc travelManual regulation, steam and duties where pressure drop is acceptableFlow direction, pressure drop, trim and seat leakage class

Swing check valveAutomatic prevention of reverse flowProtecting pumps, compressors and lines where reverse flow is harmfulMinimum flow velocity, water hammer, mounting direction and closing speed

Wafer check valveAutomatic prevention of reverse flowProtecting pumps, compressors and lines where reverse flow is harmfulMinimum flow velocity, water hammer, mounting direction and closing speed

Piston check valveAutomatic prevention of reverse flowProtecting pumps, compressors and lines where reverse flow is harmfulMinimum flow velocity, water hammer, mounting direction and closing speed

Dual-plate check valveAutomatic prevention of reverse flowProtecting pumps, compressors and lines where reverse flow is harmfulMinimum flow velocity, water hammer, mounting direction and closing speed

Diaphragm valveIsolation of the process fluid from moving parts by a flexible diaphragmChemicals, corrosive fluids or duties requiring clean containmentDiaphragm material and life, temperature, pressure and chemical compatibility

Needle valveFine low-flow control and instrument-line isolationSampling, gauges, bleed and instrument circuitsFlow direction, stem-tip design, orifice and flow limitation

16 additional types above have their own detail pages.

Before selection

Information to define

1Valve duty
2Class and design pressure
3Temperature and fluid
4Body, trim and seat materials
5End connection and face-to-face
6Leakage class

Typical materials

Carbon steelStainless steelAlloy steelCast and ductile ironBronze and brassSpecial alloys

Typical connections

FlangedButt-weldSocket-weldThreadedWafer and lug

Typical media

Process liquidsGasSteamWaterCorrosive fluids

Function

Technical reference

Related standards

The exact edition and requirements must be checked against the project specification.

ASME B16.34ASME B16.10API 6DAPI 600API 602API 609API 598

Continue exploring

Available types

Ball valve

Butterfly valve

Gate valve

Globe valve

Swing check valve

Wafer check valve

Piston check valve

Dual-plate check valve

Diaphragm valve

Needle valve

Knife gate valve

Plug valve

Pinch valve

Float valve

Sample valve

Safety valve

Pressure relief valve

Pressure reducing valve

Pressure sustaining valve

Balancing valve

Seat valve

Air vent

Vacuum breaker

Sight glass

Lockout valve

Parallel slide gate valve

How the main types differ in selection

Information to define

Typical materials

Typical connections

Typical media

What does this family do?

Isolation and shut-off

Backflow prevention

Overpressure protection

Pressure reduction and sustaining

Particle removal and equipment protection

Steam and condensate management

Related standards

Related families

Actuated valves

Control valves

Actuators and control accessories

Gaskets and sealing systems

Engineering note