When To Use Stainless Steel Check Valves
Figure 1: Inline stainless steel check valve
Stainless steel check valves, made from durable 304 or 316 stainless steel, stop backflow in piping systems, protecting equipment and ensuring efficient operation, even in corrosive conditions. They are ideal for chemical processing, water treatment, and food and beverage production, where maintaining media purity is critical. They are compatible with various media, including drinking water, hydraulic fluids, and industrial chemicals. This article explores the main features and applications of stainless steel check valves.
Table of contents
- Stainless steel check valve features
- When to use stainless steel check valves
- Stainless steel check valve variants
- FAQs
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Stainless steel check valve features
Stainless steel check valves offer several advantages over materials like brass or plastic, making them a preferred choice in many industries.
- More corrosion-resistant: Stainless steel is more corrosion-resistant than brass or plastic check valves. Stainless steel 316 has molybdenum, making it more corrosion-resistant than stainless steel 304.
- Durable: Stainless steel check valves are highly durable, reducing the need for constant maintenance and replacements.
- Suitable for very high pressures (up to 400 bar or 500 psi) and temperatures: For example, a 1/4 inch brass check valve might have a pressure rating of 16 bar (232 psi), while a stainless steel check valve of the same size might have a pressure rating of 400 bar (5800 psi).
- A broader range of applications: Stainless steel check valves suit traditional plumbing systems and industrial or commercial settings. The increasing cost of no-lead brass, driven by regulatory changes, has made stainless steel an attractive alternative for various fluid control needs.
However, stainless steel check valves in simple systems might be more than needed. This can make the system more complicated and costly. In such cases, a simpler and cheaper material option might be better.
Table 1: Comparing stainless steel with plastic and brass check valves
| Parameter | Plastic check valves | Brass check valves | Stainless steel check valves |
| Cost | Low | Moderate | High |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent against many chemicals; unsuitable for prolonged UV exposure | Good in neutral pH environments; prone to corrosion in saline or acidic conditions | Excellent; withstands corrosion even in harsh environments like saltwater and industrial chemicals |
| Temperature resistance | Low; suitable for temperatures up to 90 𐩑C (194 𐩑F) | Moderate; handles temperatures up to 180 𐩑C (356 𐩑F) | High; can endure temperatures up to 200 𐩑C (392 𐩑F) |
| Pressure handling | Low; best for low-pressure applications | Moderate; suitable for residential and light commercial pressures | High; designed for high-pressure industrial systems |
| Durability | Moderate; less durable under mechanical stress or impact | Good; durable for most residential and commercial uses | Excellent; highly durable with a long service life |
| Weight | Light; easy to handle and install | Moderate weight | Heavy; may require additional support during installation |
| Suitable for potable water | Yes, if certified for potable use (NSF certified) | Yes, if lead-free brass is used; minimal risk of lead leaching | Yes, it does not leach contaminants, making it ideal for drinking water systems |
| Ease of installation | Easy, lightweight, and simple to connect | Easy; compatible with common installation methods like soldering and threading | Moderate; may require specialized tools due to material hardness |
| Chemical compatibility | High resistance to acids, bases, and salts; unsuitable with organic solvents like hydrocarbons | Moderate; not recommended for use with ammonia, chlorides, or highly acidic substances | Excellent; compatible with a wide range of chemicals, including aggressive acids and solvents |
| Typical applications | Irrigation systems, chemical handling, water treatment, low-pressure applications | Residential plumbing, HVAC systems, general-purpose valves | Industrial processes, food and beverage production, marine applications, high-pressure and high-temperature systems |
When to use stainless steel check valves
- Food and beverage applications: FDA-approved stainless steel is suitable for food contact and does not leach substances, making it ideal for breweries, dairies, and food processing facilities.
- Chemical processing: Stainless steel valves are an excellent choice for handling aggressive chemicals, solvents, and high-temperature fluids.
- Marine environments: Their excellent corrosion resistance makes them suitable for use in seawater environments and shipbuilding.
- High-pressure and high-temperature systems: Stainless steel valves can withstand extreme pressures and temperatures in applications such as steam lines and industrial boilers.
Read our check valve applications article for more information on the general applications of check valves.
Stainless steel check valve variants
Stainless steel check valves are available in various configurations, like inline (swing and spring types) or Y-shaped (Table 2). They are also available in several configurations to meet specific requirements:
- Antipollution control: Versions designed to prevent contamination and pollution
- Drinking water approvals: Certified for use in potable water systems
- Heavy-duty applications: Designed for robust performance in demanding environments
- Connection options: These are available with male/female threaded, flanged, and Victaulic or air-feeding connections.
- High-pressure variants: High-pressure stainless steel check valves are built to withstand extreme industry pressures.
- Extra outlet: Some models include an additional outlet for attaching pressure gauges, sensors, or extra piping, enhancing system monitoring and control.
Figure 2: Stainless steel check valve with an extra outlet port
Table 2: Comparison of different check valve types
| Feature/Criteria | Lift check valves | Swing check valves | Spring-loaded check valves | Ball check valves | Y-shape check valves | Sanitary check valves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operation | Disc lifted by fluid flow, closes by gravity or back pressure | Hinged disc swings open with flow, closes when flow reverses | Spring mechanism compresses to open, expands to close | Ball moves away from seat to allow flow, returns to seat to block reverse flow | Y-shaped body with disc | Designed for hygienic applications, often with a spring-loaded disc |
| Advantages | Good sealing for high-pressure applications |
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| Ideal applications | Clean fluid systems with consistent flow | Water and wastewater systems with large volumes and suspended solids | Systems requiring quick response and versatile installation | Pumping systems, wastewater applications | Low-pressure steam and gas systems | Food, beverage, and pharmaceutical processing |
| Installation flexibility | Limited (horizontal only) | Limited (primarily horizontal) | High (any orientation) | Moderate (depends on design) | Moderate (depends on design) | High (often designed for easy disassembly) |
| Cost | Moderate | Low | Higher | Low to moderate | Moderate | Higher |
| Maintenance | Low to moderate, depending on debris exposure | Low | Moderate to high, due to potential spring wear | Low | Low to moderate | Moderate to high, due to hygiene requirements |
FAQs
What are stainless steel check valves used for?
Stainless steel check valves prevent backflow in piping systems and ensure unidirectional flow. They are ideal for chemical processing, water treatment, and food and beverage applications.
How does installing a stainless steel flanged check valve differ from other types?
Installation requires aligning flanges and securing them with bolts, which provides a robust connection. Due to the valve's weight, threaded or socket connections may need additional support.
What is the primary function of a stainless steel swing check valve?
A stainless steel swing check valve prevents backflow by using a hinged disc that swings open with forward flow and closes when flow reverses, ensuring unidirectional flow.
What are the typical applications for stainless steel ball check valves?
They are typically used in applications involving viscous fluids, slurries, and wastewater systems due to their ability to handle particulate matter and provide reliable sealing.
