Ball material (Ball Valve)
Ball material (Ball Valve)
(OP)
If the project specification requires A105+ENP (Electroless Nickel Plating) for ball material, can we use A182-F304?
Please advise me about pros and con.
Please advise me about pros and con.





RE: Ball material (Ball Valve)
It really depends on the client. Many clients will specify A105/ENP because they believe it to be a more cost effective option than a full stainless steel ball. The other advantage I see is that there is no plating to come off! Whilst the surface hardness of the ENP is quite high, the strength of the substrate is often the limiting factor, especially in the instance where line scale, sand or similar is caught between ball and seat. Once the ENP coating is compromised a failure will not be long in coming.
The potential downside, other than perhaps material compatibility, is that 304 is weaker than steel so the sealing surface may be more prone to degredation and the stem drive may need to be greater in size to accommodate this.
RE: Ball material (Ball Valve)
One other thing to consider is the seat material. ENP/Steel may resist galling much better than 304 if running against metal (particularly 300-series stainless) seats.
RE: Ball material (Ball Valve)
This is manual operate valve size 4" for compressed air service. If you have further comment, please advise me.
RE: Ball material (Ball Valve)
RE: Ball material (Ball Valve)
RE: Ball material (Ball Valve)