In water supply, drainage, heating systems, as well as in industrial technological networks and drain mains, it is important to use reliable shut-off valves - valves. They can be used to close the flow of the medium (water, oil products, steam, other chemicals) for system maintenance or for performing certain technological processes in production. Our website presents varieties of valves with different design features, materials, drives, connection options. You can order throughout Ukraine, we deliver in the shortest possible time.
What materials are they made of?
What are the types of latches according to the type of materials used to make them? The most commonly used are:
- malleable iron - mainly in valves designed for networks with conventionally medium pressure;
- gray cast iron - less resistant to loads, mostly used in systems without an aggressive environment;
- steel - comes in several types (carbon, stainless), such valves are used in networks where it is necessary to ensure greater connection strength or corrosion resistance;
- cast alloys - the composition is adapted to the specific environmental conditions where the pipe fittings will be used;
- brass valve - mainly used in water supply systems (without inclusions in the environment).
In addition, the valve element can be coated with an epoxy anti-corrosion coating. Which option is better? It depends on the conditions, temperature, corrosive activity of the circulating fluid, flow direction, pressure under which the valve is operated. In practice, industrial pipelines are most often equipped with cast iron elements with a steel wedge with EPDM, NBR, PTFE seals. If you want to compare valve bodies, you should pay attention to their corrosion resistance, operating pressure and the type of environment in which they operate.
Valve structure
What does a latch consist of? The design features of individual models may vary, but in most cases the following elements are used:
- housing - is responsible for connecting the entire structure to the system, and also provides resistance to pressure;
- wedge - a gate valve, damper, or disc can be used instead; this is the moving part of the valve that moves along its axis and provides flow shut-off;
- rod - connects the wedge together and, using a drive, allows it to be moved to the open or closed position (depending on the work tasks);
- seals are mainly rings or gaskets made of elastic material that ensure the tightness of the connection, are resistant to corrosion or interaction with aggressive environments;
- bearings, thrust rings, seals - additional fixing elements that also reduce friction when moving the rod;
- Flanges, bolted connections - elements by which the valve is connected to the network, and also provide the possibility of prompt maintenance of the shut-off valve.
In our catalog, almost all types of valves consist of such elements. Although the range is regularly expanded, we try to offer customers exactly the shut-off valves that are necessary to solve existing technical problems, adapted to modern networks.
"We pay great attention to the quality of seals - most often they are the weak link in the design. At the same time, multi-level quality control is established at the production site," says the UKSPAR expert.
How the locking mechanism works
The structure of the valves is technically quite simple, it allows you to understand the general mechanism of operation of the locking element. The wedge rises along the stem, opening the network. When closed, it drops, fitting tightly to the "saddle", ensuring a hermetic closure of the pipeline. When the valve is in the closed state, the pressure load is held by the wedge, as a result of which the connection becomes even stronger.
There are also versions where the wedge-shaped rod has a conditional cutter. This is necessary for networks through which liquids with solid inclusions in the flow, suspensions, are pumped. Thanks to the cutter, the flow is “cut”, unnecessary substances do not get into the seat. There are also other types of valves and their structure. They are adapted for use in networks with special environmental conditions. For example, for pumping hot or non-uniform density liquids.
Important: The valve is not designed for constant adjustment - it must be either fully open or closed. Partial opening may cause noise, vibration, and damage.
Main varieties
The classification of valves is based on their purpose, structural form, wedge type, drive, and connection to the network. The following types are distinguished by design:
- wedge valves with V-shaped stem;
- knife - capable of cutting solid suspensions;
- through-flow valves - differ in that the wedge passes through the saddle, which is necessary for media with a large inclusion of fibrous parts;
- lined - the body or part of the internal elements are coated with polymer to ensure greater corrosion resistance in conditions of pumping aggressive media.
Depending on the control principle, there are manual valves, electrically operated valves, and valves with a gearbox. There are also shut-off valves with hydraulic rod actuation.
By type of connection, valves are distinguished: flanged, threaded, flanged and welded. They are also classified by nominal working pressure (for example, PN10, PN16, etc.).
Comparison of the advantages of wedge and gate valves
Most often, wedge and gate valves are used in industrial pipelines. But which of them is better in terms of technical parameters?
| Wedge-shaped | Shiberni | |
| Advantages | Simple design, reliable, durable, low pressure loss in open environment | Can be used in environments with solid inclusions |
| Disadvantages | Seals can be damaged if there are solid inclusions in the medium | More complex design, requires maintenance, shorter service life |
In many cases, the choice between a wedge and a gate valve depends on the characteristics of the medium, the impurity content, abrasiveness and the need to block solids. Static and dynamic load characteristics must also be taken into account. For example, latch with rubberized wedge will be the best option for pumping low-density liquids or air.
How to choose the right fittings by pressure and diameter
When choosing a locking element, the following criteria should be taken into account:
- diameter - selected for the pipeline and the required network throughput (our catalog presents options from 40 to 1200 mm);
- pressure - it is necessary to take into account not only the general class (for example, PN10 or PN16), but also the results of tests for the tightness of the housing and seals;
- body material, wedge;
- drive type;
- network connection option;
- the environment used in the system.
Valve selection is a balance between diameter, pressure, materials, medium, actuator type, and connection methods.
Where to order quality latches in Ukraine
If you are looking for high-quality shut-off valves for your project or business, you will find everything you need on the UKSPAR.ua website. Our advantages:
- we offer a wide range of valves - from household to specialized industrial;
- detailed characteristics are given for each position;
- there are options with manual control and electric drive;
- We deliver throughout Ukraine, provide consultations, and provide spare parts for scheduled maintenance and repair of shut-off valves.
We also cooperate with many Ukrainian industrial companies, including state-owned ones, where the requirements for compliance with standards and specifications are very strict.
If you have any questions or would like to order UKSPAR valves for your project, contact our managers. They will provide detailed information, advise, help with the choice, and place an order.
Questions and answers about types of valves
How to extend the service life of fittings?
To do this, it is necessary to perform proper maintenance, protect the valve elements from external corrosion, avoid exceeding the operating parameters for which the valve is designed, and ensure proper installation. It is important to choose the right type of shut-off valve, taking into account the characteristics of the environment.
What are the most reliable materials for valve bodies?
Cast iron valves are considered the strongest, but they are less resistant to impulse, shock, and vibration loads. Therefore, it is necessary to select shut-off valves according to the conditions in which they will be operated.
What is the difference between a flanged valve and a threaded valve?
They differ in the method of connecting to the network, but in terms of practicality, their parameters are similar.
