Essential Plastic and Rubber Types for Valves

Valves play an important role in industrial production, and their performance directly affects the safety and efficiency of the system. In order to maintain good working condition under different media and environmental conditions, the choice of valve materials is crucial. Here are some of the plastics and rubber materials commonly used in valves, each with unique properties to meet diverse industrial needs.

Valve Commonly Used Plastic Material

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

The application temperature range of polytetrafluoroethylene is -200℃ to 230℃, and its decomposition temperature is as high as 415℃. This material is known for its excellent corrosion resistance, known as the "king of corrosion resistance", and can withstand the erosion of almost all chemical media. PTFE is widely used in the manufacture of gaskets, seals, bearings and short tubes that do not require lubrication, and is particularly suitable for use in the food and textile industries, where contact with any lubricant is usually not allowed. In addition, PTFE is also used as a valve lining material and valve packing fiber, providing a longer service life and stability.

Perfluoroalkoxy Alkanes (PFA)

Perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (Pfas) are fluoropolymers that can be used at temperatures ranging from -268 ° C to 260 ° C. This material combines toughness, flexibility and a high degree of chemical stability for applications that require high chemical resistance and high purity, such as flexible and reusable medical devices, pharmaceutical and semiconductor devices. In these applications, the corrosion resistance and pollution-free properties of PFA materials are particularly important.

Polyperfluorinated Ethylene-propylene (F46)

Polyperfluorinated ethylene propylene (F46) is a material similar to PTFE, but easier to process than PTFE, with an application temperature range of -260 ° C to 200 ° C and a decomposition temperature of 400 ° C. This material strikes a good balance between corrosion resistance and ease of processing and is widely used in parts such as valve lining materials and gaskets, especially where complex shapes or fine machining are required.

Nylon

Nylon, a polyamide material, is well known for its high strength, wear resistance and self-lubricating properties. Its application temperature range is -50℃ to 120℃, the main products are nylon 66 and nylon 6. Nylon materials perform well in corrosion resistance, but are not resistant to strong, oxidizing and formic acids. Because of these properties, nylon is widely used in bearings and mechanical parts in the food industry, and can also be used to make clothing fibers such as clothing and socks.

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)

ABS is a kind of plastic composed of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene, and the application temperature range is -40℃ to 80℃. Because of its high strength and good corrosion resistance, this material is often used in the manufacture of pipes and pipe fittings, especially suitable for application in some more conventional low-temperature environments.

Polypropylene (PPL)

Polypropylene (PPL) can be used for valve seats in the application temperature range from -29 ° C to 300 ° C, but the use pressure must be maintained below 300#. PPL materials maintain good physical properties at high temperatures and are one of the common choices in the petroleum and chemical industries.

It can be seen that various plastic materials play a key role in different industrial applications because of their respective characteristics, especially in extreme environments, and their choice directly determines the performance and durability of the valve.

Valve Commonly Used Rubber Material

In addition to plastic materials, rubber materials are also an important part of the valve. Rubber materials are commonly used in the sealing and gasket parts of valves, and their elasticity, corrosion resistance and wear resistance play a crucial role in the sealing effect of valves. The following are several common rubber materials and their characteristics:

Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)

Nitrile rubber is the most widely used rubber material, the operating temperature range is -40℃ to 120℃, and it can be used for a long time at 100℃. It has excellent corrosion resistance to oils and fuels, but is intolerant to strong solvents such as oxidizing acids (such as nitric acid, chromic acid, etc.), aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ketones, ethers and halogenated hydrocarbons. Because of these properties, nitrile rubber is often used as a gasket and seal for valves, suitable for medium temperature and pressure operating environments.

Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber (EPDM)

Epdm rubber operating temperature range of -55℃ to 150℃. This material has excellent corrosion resistance to dilute acids, bases and salts, but is not resistant to petroleum products such as oxidizing acids and aromatics. It is widely used in equipment and components that require high temperature resistance and exposure to harsh environments, such as seals for outdoor equipment and applications in the automotive industry.

Fluororubber (FPM/FKM)

Fluororubber is a very chemical resistant material with an operating temperature range of -20 ° C to 200 ° C, suitable for a variety of industrial uses. Because fluorine rubber can withstand a variety of acids, alkalis, salts, petroleum products and hydrocarbons, it is widely used in seals and gaskets requiring high chemical resistance, especially in the chemical and aerospace fields plays an indispensable role.

Silicone Rubber

Silicone rubber has a temperature range of -55 ° C to 250 ° C, it has excellent flexibility and high temperature resistance, especially suitable for long-term exposure to high temperature conditions, such as sealing and insulating parts in high temperature environments. Its excellent thermal stability makes it irreplaceable in high temperature industrial applications.

Polyurethane (PU)

Polyurethane has excellent wear resistance and chemical resistance, and the application temperature range is -40 ° C to 120 ° C. It is widely used in coatings in architectural, industrial and coastal environments, and is also used in the manufacture of various gaskets and seals, making it a versatile material.

Conclusion

Through the above analysis, it can be seen that different types of rubber materials provide different functional characteristics in valve applications, so that they ensure the long-term reliable operation of valves in various industrial environments. Whether it is high temperature, high pressure, or corrosive media, the reasonable choice of materials is the key to efficient and stable operation.