There are many different options for the materials on the market when it comes to the manufacturing of valves. In many types of systems where purity is not a concern, metals and alloys are preferred for their durability and low cost of production.
In applications where purity is a concern in the system, polypropylene valves either with or without PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) on the wetted surfaces, are often the ideal selection.
Properties of Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic, which means it can be formed by heating and molding, allowing for precise designs to specific tolerances with each valve produced. It is naturally hard and resistant to heat, which makes it a superior option for valve bodies and components as compared to polyethylene and other thermoplastics in the same group.
The density of this material means it is lightweight and has a high strength to weight ratio. This is critical in many systems where valves are required on long runs of pipe. Polypropylene is considered to have good resistance to fatigue while also being resistant to organic solvents. It is also resistant to most acids and bases, which means that polypropylene valves can be used in a wide range of applications.
Installation and Maintenance
The precision molding used in the production of polypropylene valves makes these components very easy to install on systems. There are different valve types available to act as flow control or on and off valves within a system. Choosing the correct valve type is a function of the requirement for the valve as well as the system pressure, temperature, and flow rate.
The maintenance required for these valves, even without the PTFE on the wetted surface is extremely low. Resistant to abrasion and buildup of material in the valve, they typically do not require any routine maintenance over their long-life cycle.