Which to Choose – Butterfly Valves or Ball Valves?

There are generally two types of valves that seem to take center stage in the industrial industry, those two valves are the butterfly valve and the ball valve. While they look completely different to each other, they both actually provide very similar characteristics.

They are both usually constructed of a combination of metals such as cast iron, stainless steel, and brass, they are both pretty durable, have long shelf-life, and are relatively cheap to purchase, and can both carry a variety of different gases and liquids at carrying temperatures.

For this reason, deciding which valve to use will come down to the small differences between the two options.

The Design

The main difference between the two types of valves is that they look different. The ball valve is essentially a ball that has a hole going right through it whilst a butterfly valve consists of rotating shaft that has a disk mounted onto it. Of course, what they look like should not be a reason to choose one over another but it is important to know.

How They Function

A ball valve works by allowing the hole to be open, blocked, or open partially to regulate the flow of gas / liquid while a butterfly valve uses the disk to either allow the flow of gas/liquid through it or to block it completely.

The Pressures Involved

It is in this instance that a ball valve may be considered a better option due to the valve always being able to open easily despite any pressure being placed upon it. The butterfly valve on the other hand can be difficult to turn as part of the disk will always have to fight against a flow of gas/liquid.

Their Best Uses

Because ball valves are able to offer better sealing which makes it an ideal choice for using with gases. Butterfly valves may not be able to completely seal in gasses which might be a danger in some industries.

Butterfly valves are cheaper than that of ball valves and are easier to maintain. It is for that reason that they are frequently used on large-scale projects that involve the regulation of water streams.

Conclusion

Although they both offer similar uses, both the ball valve and butterfly valve have different benefits and advantages over each other. This means that you will have to consider the benefits of each of them before making a choice on which valve to purchase and use.

Luckily, leading valve manufacturers are usually more than happy to help with queries related to their products. All manufacturers will be able to give you the sort of advice that you need before choosing between a ball valve and a butterfly valve.