Durable, Leak-free Valves For Industrial Flow Regulation
A ball valve is a shut-off valve that allows, obstructs, and controls the flow of liquids, gases, and vapors in a piping system by rotating the ball having a bore inside the valve.
Ball valves are among the most widely used valves in industrial and commercial piping systems. Known for their durability, low cost, and ease of use, they provide efficient flow control across a wide range of applications.
Ball Valves are advanced flow control devices that utilize a hollow, perforated, pivoting ball to regulate the flow of liquids, gases, or vapors in industrial piping systems. Compliant with standards like API 6D, ASME B16.34, and GB12237, these industrial ball valves are crafted from materials such as stainless steel (AISI 304/316), carbon steel (A105), and nickel alloys, offering exceptional corrosion resistant valves properties. Widely used in petrochemical, water supply, power generation, and chemical processing industries, ball valves ensure robust boiler pipeline protection under pressures up to 2500 PSI and temperatures ranging from -29°C to 425°C, depending on material and design.
Manufactured through precision forging or casting, ball valves feature a spherical closure element with a bore that rotates 90° to open or close the flow path. Available in sizes from 1/4" to 48" (DN6 to DN1200), they support threaded (NPT, BSP), flanged, or butt-welded connections, ensuring compatibility with diverse piping systems. The design includes two seats for tight sealing, with PTFE or metal seats enhancing leak-free performance. Surface treatments like passivation or electro-polishing bolster corrosion resistance, making them suitable for harsh environments involving seawater, acids, or alkalis. Floating or trunnion-mounted designs cater to low- or high-pressure applications, respectively, with fire-safe designs meeting API 607 standards for added safety.
Ball Valves undergo rigorous testing, including hydrostatic, leakage, and fire-resistant tests, to comply with API 598 and GB/T13927 standards. With a minimum tensile strength of 515 MPa and yield strength of 205 MPa for AISI 316, these high-pressure ball valves ensure durability in demanding conditions. Their quarter-turn operation allows quick shut-off, while soft or metal seats provide precise flow control for throttling applications. Compared to gate or globe valves, ball valves offer lower pressure loss and faster operation, making them ideal for fluid control valves in oil and gas pipelines, water treatment plants, and HVAC systems. Anti-static devices and blowout-proof stems enhance operational safety.
Compared to butterfly or check valves, industrial ball valves provide superior sealing and durability in high-pressure and corrosive environments. Certified by API 6D for pipeline safety and NSF/ANSI 61 for potable water, they support manual, pneumatic, or electric actuation for versatile control. Their compact design and low torque requirements facilitate easy installation and maintenance, with replaceable seats and seals extending service life. Specialized designs, such as cryogenic ball valves, handle liquified gases like LNG at -196°C, while ceramic-lined options resist wear in abrasive slurry applications.
Addressing challenges like pipeline corrosion, leaks, and high-pressure demands, Ball Valves deliver reliable, efficient solutions for industrial piping systems. Their robust construction, corrosion-resistant materials, and precise control make them a preferred choice for engineers seeking durable pipeline shut-off valves. Whether in petrochemical refineries, water distribution, or power generation, these valves ensure exceptional performance, safety, and longevity, backed by Sunny Steel’s white-glove service for timely delivery and quality assurance.
A ball valve is composed of several key parts that work together to ensure reliable flow control. Each component plays a critical role in operation, sealing, and durability.
The main housing of the valve that holds all components together, providing strength and structural integrity.
A spherical disc with a hole (bore) through the center that controls fluid flow when rotated by the stem.
Connects the ball to the actuator or handle. Often secured with a square key design for torque transfer.
Covers and protects the stem, sealed with packing or O-rings to prevent leakage around the stem area.
Made of elastomeric materials such as Teflon, Nylon, or Neoprene to provide tight sealing and smooth operation.
Used to operate the valve manually or automatically. Large valves may include a planetary gearbox for torque reduction.
Comprehensive list of key international valve standards from major organizations, updated as of 2025.
| Organization | Standard | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ANSI | American National Standards Institute | General industrial standards |
| API | American Petroleum Institute | Standards for oil and gas industry |
| ASME | American Society of Mechanical Engineers | Boiler and pressure vessel codes |
| BS | British Standards | UK national standards |
| GB, JB, HG | China Valve Standards | Chinese national and industry standards |
| FCI | Fluid Control Institute | Standards for fluid control and conditioning equipment |
American National Standards Institute
| Code | ANSI Standard Name |
|---|---|
| ANSI A126 | Grey Iron Castings for Valves, Flanges, and Pipe Fittings |
| ANSI A181 | Forged or Rolled Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged Fittings, and Valves and Parts for General Service |
| ANSI B16.10 | Face-to-Face and End-to-End Dimensions of Valves |
| ANSI B16.34 | Valves - Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End |
| ANSI B16.5 | Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings |
| ANSI/FCI 70-2 | Control Valve Seat Leakage |
| ANSI B127.1 | Constant-Level Oilers |
American Petroleum Institute
| Code | API Standard Name |
|---|---|
| API 526 | Flanged Steel Pressure-Relief Valves |
| API 527 | Seat Tightness of Pressure Relief Valves |
| API 594 | Check Valves: Flanged, Lug, Bolted Bonnet |
| API 595 | Cast Iron Gate Valves - Flanged Bonnet |
| API 597 | Steel Venturi Gate Valves - Flanged and Welding Ends |
| API 598 | Valve Inspection and Testing |
| API 599 | Steel and Ductile Iron Plug Valves |
| API 600 | Bolted Bonnet Steel Gate Valves for Refinery Service |
| API 602 | Compact Steel Gate Valves - Flanged, Threaded, and Welding Ends |
| API 603 | Corrosion-Resistant Gate Valves - Flanged Ends |
| API 604 | Ductile Iron Gate Valves - Flanged Ends |
| API 607 | Fire Test for Quarter-Turn Valves |
| API 608 | Metal Ball Valves - Flanged, Threaded, and Welding Ends |
| API 609 | Butterfly Valves: Double Flanged, Lug- and Wafer-Type |
| API 6D | Pipeline and Piping Valves |
| API 6FA | Fire Test for Valves |
| API RP 574 | Inspection Practices for Piping System Components |
| API RP 576 | Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices |
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
| Code | ASME Standard Name |
|---|---|
| ASME A105/A105M | Carbon Steel Forgings for Piping Applications |
| ASME A181/A181M | Carbon Steel Forgings, for General-Purpose Pipes |
| ASME A182/A182M | Forged or Rolled Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged Fittings, and Valves and Parts for High-Temperature Service |
| ASME A350/A350M | Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Forgings for Low-Temperature Service |
| ASME A694/A694M | Carbon and Alloy Steel Forgings for Pipe Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts for High-Pressure Transmission Service |
| ASME B16.5 | Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings: NPS 1/2 Through NPS 24 Metric/Inch Standard |
| ASME B16.10 | Face-to-Face and End-to-End Dimensions of Valves |
| ASME B16.11 | Forged Fittings, Socket-Welding and Threaded |
| ASME B16.34 | Valves - Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End |
| ASME B31.1 | Power Piping |
| ASME B31.3 | Process Piping |
| ASME F1508 | Standard Specification for Angle Style, Pressure Relief Valves for Steam, Gas, and Liquid Services |
| ASME F1565 | Pressure-Reducing Valves for Steam Service |
British Standards Institution
| Code | British Standard Name |
|---|---|
| BS 1212 | Float Operated Valves - Automatic Valves (Including Float Valves) for Tanks, Cisterns, Hot-Water Cylinders and Feed Cisterns |
| BS 1414 | Specification for Steel Wedge Gate Valves (Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends) for the Petroleum, Petrochemical and Allied Industries |
| BS 1552 | Specification for Control Plug Cocks for Low Pressure Gases |
| BS 1868 | Specification for Steel Check Valves (Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends) for the Petroleum, Petrochemical and Allied Industries |
| BS 1873 | Specification for Steel Globe and Globe Stop and Check Valves (Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends) for the Petroleum, Petrochemical and Allied Industries |
| BS 1952 | Specification for Copper Alloy Gate Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 2080 | Specification for Face-to-Face, Centre-to-Face, End-to-End and Centre-to-End Dimensions for Flanged and Butt-Welding End Steel Valves for the Petroleum, Petrochemical and Allied Industries |
| BS 2995 | Specification for Cast and Forged Steel Wedge Gate, Globe, Check and Plug Valves Screwed and Socket-Welding Sizes 1/2 in and Smaller for the Petroleum Industry |
| BS 3464 | Specification for Cast Iron Gate Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5150 | Specification for Cast Iron Wedge and Double Disk Gate Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5151 | Specification for Cast Iron Gate (Parallel Slide) Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5152 | Specification for Cast Iron Globe and Globe Stop and Check Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5153 | Specification for Cast Iron Check Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5154 | Specification for Copper Alloy Globe, Globe Stop and Check, Check and Gate Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5155 | Specification for Butterfly Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5156 | Specification for Screw-Down Diaphragm Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5157 | Specification for Steel Gate (Parallel Slide) Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5159 | Specification for Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Ball Valves for General Purposes |
| BS 5160 | Specification for Steel Globe Valves, Globe Stop Valves, Stop and Check Valves and Lift Type Check Valves |
| BS 5351 | Specification for Steel Ball Valves for Petroleum, Petrochemical and Allied Industries |
| BS EN 12266-1 | Industrial Valves - Testing of Metallic Valves Part 1: Pressure Tests - Test Procedures |
China National Standards
| Code | GB Standard Name | Adopting Standard |
|---|---|---|
| GB 12220 | General Valve - Marking | ISO 5209 |
| GB 12221 | Flanged Ends Metal Valve - Face-to-Face Dimensions | ISO 5752 |
| GB 12222 | Multi-Turn Valve - The Connection of the Driving Device | ISO 5210/1-3 |
| GB 12223 | Part-Turn Valve - The Connection of the Driving Device | ISO 5211/1-3 |
| GB 12224 | Steel Valve - General Requirements | ANSI B16.34 |
| GB 12225 | General Valve - Copper Alloy Casting Ware Technology Requirements | ASTM B584 |
| GB 12226 | General Valve - Gray Cast Iron Technology Requirements | ISO 185, BS 1452 |
| GB 12228 | General Valve - Carbon Forging Steel Technology Requirements | ASTM A105, A181 |
| GB 12229 | General Valve - Carbon Casting Steel Technology Requirements | ASTM A703 |
| GB 12230 | General Valve - Austenitic Casting Steel Technology Requirements | ASTM A351 |
| GB 12232 | General Valve - Flanged Ends Iron Gate Valve | ISO 5996-1982, API 595 |
| GB 12233 | General Valve - Iron Gate Valve and Lift Check Valve | BS 5152, 5153 |
| GB 12234 | General Valve - Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends Copper Gate Valve | API 600 |
| GB 12237 | General Valve - Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends Steel Ball Valve | ISO 7121, API 607 |
| GB 12238 | General Valve - Flanged and Wafer Ends Butterfly Valve | BS 5155 |
| GB 12239 | General Valve - Diaphragm Valve | BS 5156, NFE 29 |
| GB 12240 | General Valve - Iron Plug Valve | API 593 |
| GB 12241 | Safety Valve - General Requirements | ISO 4126 |
| GB 12242 | Safety Valve - Characteristic Testing Solution | ANSI/ASME PTC 25.3 |
| GB 12243 | Direct Spring-Loaded Safety Valve | JIS B 8210 |
| GB 12244 | Pressure Reducing Valve - General Requirements | JIS B 8372, B8410 |
| GB 12245 | Pressure Reducing Valve - Characteristic Testing Solution | JIS B 8372, B8410 |
| GB 12246 | Pilot Operated Pressure Reducing Valve | JIS B 8372, DSS 405 |
| GB 12247 | Steam Trap Valve - Classification | ISO 6704 |
| GB 12248 | Steam Trap Valve - Technology Terms | ISO 6552 |
| GB 12249 | Steam Trap Valve - Marking | ISO 6553 |
| GB 12250 | Steam Trap Valve - Face-to-Face Dimensions | ISO 6554 |
| GB 12251 | Steam Trap Valve - Testing Solution | ISO 6948, 7841, 7842 |
| GB/T 13927 | General Valve - Pressure Testing | ISO 5208 |
| JB/T 6899-93 | Valve Fire-Proof Test | ISO 10497 |
| JB/T 7927-95 | Valve Casting Steelware Out-Form Quality Requirements | MSS SP-55 |
| ZBJ 16006-90 | Inspection and Testing of Valve | API 598 |
| Code | GB Standard Name |
|---|---|
| GB 12227 | General Valve - Ductile Cast Iron Technology Requirements |
| GB 12235 | General Valve - Flanged Steel Stop and Lift Check Valve |
| GB 12236 | General Valve - Steel Swing Check Valve |
| GB/T 13932 | General Valve - Iron Swing Check Valve |
| GB/T 15185 | Iron and Copper Ball Valve |
| GB/T 15188.1 | Valve Face-to-Face Dimensions - Butt-Welding Ends Valve |
| GB/T 15188.2 | Valve Face-to-Face Dimensions - Wafer Ends Valve |
| GB/T 15188.3 | Valve Face-to-Face Dimensions - Female Screw-Down Valve |
| GB/T 15188.4 | Valve Face-to-Face Dimensions - Male Screw-Down Valve |
| JB 93 | Handle |
| JB/T 450 | PN16-32.0 MPa Forging Angle Type High-Pressure Valve, Fastener, and Technology Requirements |
| JB/T 7745-95 | Pipeline Ball Valve |
| JB/T 8527-97 | Metal Sealing Butterfly Valve |
| JB/T 8473-96 | Instrument Valve Series |
| ZBJ 16004-88 | Reducing Valve Type and Basing Coefficient |
| ZBJ 16007-90 | Steam Trap Valve Technology Terms |
| ZBJ 16009-90 | Valve Pneumatic Actuator Technology Terms |
Standards for fluid control and conditioning equipment
The Fluid Control Institute (FCI) provides standards to assist in understanding and using control valves, solenoid valves, and regulators.
| Code | FCI Standard Name |
|---|---|
| ANSI/FCI 70-2 | Control Valve Seat Leakage |
| ANSI/FCI 70-3 | Control Valve Aerodynamic Noise Prediction |
| ANSI/FCI 91-1 | Qualification of Control Valve Stem Seals |
| ANSI/FCI 85-1 | Method of Determining the Thermal Expansion of a Filled Thermal System |
| FCI 68-2 | Procedure in Rating Flow and Pressure Characteristics of Solenoid Valves for Liquid Service |
| FCI 75-1 | Test Conditions and Procedures for Measuring Electrical Characteristics of Solenoid Valves |
| FCI 82-1 | Recommended Methods for Testing and Classifying the Water Hammer Characteristics of Electrically Operated Valves |
| ANSI/FCI 69-1 | Pressure Ratings of Traps |
We offer valves in a wide range of materials to meet diverse industry requirements. Additional grades are available upon request.
| Material | Main Properties | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | High strength, cost-effective | General industrial, water, oil & gas |
| Stainless Steel | Excellent corrosion resistance | Chemical, food, pharmaceutical |
| Alloy Steel | High temperature & pressure resistance | Power plants, refineries |
| Duplex Steel | High strength, seawater resistance | Marine, offshore, oil & gas |
| Nickel Alloys | Extreme corrosion & heat resistance | Chemical, aerospace, marine |
| Cast Iron | Low cost, limited strength | Low pressure water systems |
| Bronze & Brass | Seawater resistance | Marine, small valves |
Upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, including drilling, refining, and transportation.
Handling corrosive and hazardous chemicals in various chemical plants.
Steam, water, and fuel systems in thermal, nuclear, and hydroelectric plants.
Municipal water supply, wastewater treatment, and industrial water management.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in commercial and industrial buildings.
Sterile and hygienic applications, precise flow control in sensitive industries.
