August 31,2024
Roy

Ball Valves are imperative for fluid control in industrial operations. And these valves are usually constructed using stainless-steel. Each industry, however, has varying valve requirements and according to its use the grade of stainless-steel ball valve needs to be checked. Valves are often made from varying stainless steel grades. The durability and performance vary amongst different grades of stainless-steel. — Such as 304,316 and Duplex stainless steel grades. But how do you select the right one for your ball valves? Continue on to find out more:

Pneumatic Stainless Steel Ball Valve

Types Of Stainless-Steel Grades

304 Stainless-Steel

304 stainless-steel is a more common grade used for ball valve operations. stainless-steel is a mixture of elements. This mixture is what gives it its durability. The structural makeup for 304 stainless-steel is:

  • 0.07% – Carbon
  • 1% – Silicon
  • 2% – Manganese
  • 0.045% – Manganese
  • 0.015% – Sulfur
  • 17.5%-19.5% – Chromium
  • 8%-10.5% – Nickel
  • 0.1% – Nitrogen
  • Rest – Iron

316 Stainless-Steel

The 316 grade is not that differentiable from the 304 one. 316 stainless-steel is also termed marine grade stainless-steel. These two grades are only differentiable because of their composition.  A 2% of molybdenum is what differentiates 316 from 304. And this adds corrosion resistance and suitability for high temperature applications.

Duplex Stainless-Steel Valves

Duplex stainless-steel grade has a structural makeup of austenitic (316 & 304) and ferritic stainless-steels. And so this grade is known to show a greater toughness and strength. You will also see this grade offer greater corrosion resistance and weldability compared to other grades.

Comparing Steel Grades

304 Stainless-Steel Grade316 Stainless-Steel GradeDuplex Stainless-Steel Grade
High corrosion resistanceOffers more corrosion resistance than 304Highest Corrosion Resistance
Cheapest optionMore expensive than 304Most Expensive
Offers good strength Stronger than 304 stainless-steelStrongest Option
No magnetism propertiesNo magnetism propertiesIs Magnetic

Considerations Before Selecting Stainless-Steel Grade

Corrosion Resistance Comparison

The nature of fluids in your operation changes the optimal stainless-steel grade. 304 and 316 types have strong corrosion resistance. But it is known to be greater in the 316 type. The Duplex stainless-steel grades have a higher corrosion resistance. 

Greater corrosion resistance also means paying more money. Both 304 and 316 grades are also termed food grade stainless-steel. But the 316 is found more often, especially in marine applications. And that’s because of the 2.0% molybdenum which is resistant to chloride ions.

Temperature

The optimal steel grade changes depending on your temperature requirements. 304 stainless-steel and 316 stainless-steel have highest temperature limits. Duplex stainless-steel is more apt to lower temperature operations. The temperature limits are:

  • 304 stainless-steel – 870 C – 925 C
  • 316 stainless-steel – 1375 C – 1400 C
  • Duplex stainless-steel – 150 C – 250 C

Stainless-Steel Valve Standards

Ball valves can only be used for industrial operations if they are compliant with industry standards. Ball valves should comply with ASME, CE, ISO or API standards. For stainless-steel grade, it must be compliant with ASTM or NACE standards.

Stainless-Steel Grade Applications

The 304 stainless-steel grade is used in:

  • Kitchen appliances
  • Food industry
  • Making saucepans
  • Chemical Industry

The 316 stainless-steel grade is found in:

  • Marine Use
  • Boats
  • Construction
  • Kitchen Items
  • Chemical Industry

The Duplex stainless-steel grade is found in:

  • Oil/Gas Pipes
  • High Chlorine Situations
  • Automotive Industry
  • Paper Industry

FAQs

How To Pick Apt Stainless-Steel Grade?

The apt kind of stainless-steel grade depends on operational needs. The preferable options change depending on temperature and fluid nature. You should also make sure the grade is compliant with industry standards.

How Do The Stainless-Steel Grades Differ?

The 316 grade is an enhanced version of 304 steel grade. It’s more expensive but it offers greater strength and corrosion resistance. On the other hand, duplex stainless-steel offers magnetic properties and even better strength and resistance. But they are also the most expensive.

Resources:

Stainless Steel Grades | How to Choose Stainless Steel (industrialmetalsupply.com)

A Comprehensive Introduction to Stainless Steel Ball Valves – Union (unionfitting.com)

A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the SS Ball Valve for Your Project (stainlesssteel-ballvalve.com)

Stainless Steel Composition What Is It? – thyssenkrupp Materials (UK) (thyssenkrupp-materials.co.uk)

Difference Between stainless steel 316 and 304 – thyssenkrupp Materials (UK) (thyssenkrupp-materials.co.uk)

specialpipingmaterials.com/stainless-steel-in-marine-applications/

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