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Ball Valve Temperature Rating

Choosing Ball Valve Temperature Rating

Ball Valve Temperature Specification

Welcome to part two of our series of blog posts about how to specify the right valves, couplings or hose. In part one, we applied the STAMP theory to ball valves. In the interests of consistency, we will address the second letter of that all-important acronym, STAMP, which is ‘T’ for Temperature. If you want to refresh your memory on what we discussed before, just check the previous post “What Size Ball Valve Do I Need” which also outlines the whole acronym.

Is STAMP Only Applicable to Ball Valves?

Traditionally STAMP parameters were used to assist in the specification of choosing the correct hose for application. More recently though, it has been adopted by many manufacturers and suppliers to also help to identify or specify couplings and fittings of all descriptions. In fact, it can apply to any liquid, gas or powder transfer, not just ball valves!

What Is The Right Temperature Rating? 

In the case of hose, what needs to be established is the temperature of the operating environment and the temperature of the media being conveyed. However, the same principals and questions can be applied with regard to any coupling system.

In most cases, ball valves and couplings will contain elastomeric seals, which are temperature sensitive. So the temperature limitations are more relative to the seals being used in the fitting, rather than the metal material of the valve, or coupler itself.

The seals are the weakest link in the coupling for both pressure and temperature. When choosing the correct valves, or couplings, care must be taken to choose the right seal compound. This is not only for the compatibility of the media being used and how it will react chemically but also for its safe working temperature rating.

Depending on the material, elastomeric seals will have a minimum and maximum working temperature that needs to be identified and checked for compatibility before being used. If it is not compatible, the seal could simply melt, or freeze!

Ball valves or couplings produced with metal-to-metal seats (i.e. with no elastomeric seals) can normally take much higher temperature parameters.

Do I Have The Right Seal?

If you’re ever in doubt, and you are not replacing like-for-like, it’s always best to consult the manufacturer or your supplier. Using incompatible seals will lead to early failures and worse still can present a health and safety risk. Ask for the technical specifications or data sheets of the fittings first or check out our Chemical Compatibility Chart which outlines a huge array of different chemicals and materials.

In order to check the temperature rating of any fittings, consult the technical data, which should feature this information where applicable, such as on our Technical Data Sheet for Stainless Steel Ball Valves.

We hope this helps, but if there is anything else we can assist with, please contact us on 01235 512500 or drop us a line sales@actionsealtite.com